The IPL 2025 season was a bit harsh on the Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions of yesteryear. It was surprising to see how adversely they were affected by the overhaul of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Predicted 2026 KKR Released Players

To see their favourite team struggle so badly right after a successful 2024 campaign was a painful and frustrating sight for KKR fans. Now, with the mini auction fast approaching, it’s time for the expected 2026 KKR released players list. Well, fans would be desperately hoping that this management rectifies some of the mistakes they made last season.

Venkatesh Iyer

Role: All-Rounder (India)

For someone commanding a hefty price tag of INR 23.75 crores, Venkatesh Iyer has been the biggest letdown for the Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR and its avid supporters expected something extraordinary from the player, and well, to their utter disappointment, Iyer just scored 142 runs at an average barely above 20 throughout the entirety of the 2025 edition. Venkatesh Iyer was supposed to be the star of KKR’s middle order, but, on the contrary, his poor performance increased the pressure for the players down the order.

Venkatesh Iyer’s Batting in IPL 2025

To add to his uselessness, he wasn’t even given a chance to bowl despite being an all-rounder. Talk about being an absolute waste of money! It wouldn’t be a shocker if his name tops the KKR released players list; instead, fans will be relieved that the money would now be put to good use. However, the fact remains that he has great potential and that it was only a seasonal drought. He might make a comeback in the next season, and from this point of view, the KKR management might decide to buy him back cheaply in the IPL 2026 mini auction.

Moeen Ali

Role: All-Rounder (England)

Another sure-shot name to feature on the 2026 KKR released players list would definitely be Moeen Ali. Although the English all-rounder has six wickets from 6 matches, he has been ineffective with the bat, scoring just five runs in two innings. Plus, he isn’t getting any younger, which might prove to be a liability for the KKR squad despite his wealth of experience. The decision to release Moeen is purely strategic, driven by the scarcity of overseas slots. Every overseas player must be absolutely indispensable.

Moeen Ali’s Bowling in IPL 2025

Moeen Ali’s Batting in IPL 2025

Paying a significant salary for a specialist who is only occasionally explosive and whose primary skill (off-spin) is not always suited to every match condition is an inefficient use of the limited spots. To maximise their overseas approach for the entire season, KKR can search for a dynamic overseas power-hitter who can solidify the lower-middle order or a true death-overs pace specialist by releasing Moeen, who currently holds a high-value overseas slot. This is less about his quality and more about the harsh choice forced by the auction regulations.

Quinton de Kock

Role: Wicketkeeper-Batter (South Africa)

No doubt Quinton de Kock is one of the premier wicketkeeper-batsmen in world cricket, and a left-handed powerhouse known for setting the pace in the powerplay. Moreover, his opening strike rate is generally phenomenal. However, KKR’s opening combination often lacked consistency in 2025, and De Kock’s returns were not always worth his massive auction price. The biggest reason for his inclusion on the KKR released players list is the dispensability and his cost.

Quinton de Kock’s Batting in IPL 2025

He commands a huge salary and keeps a high-value overseas slot. Besides, KKR already has Rahmanullah Gurbaz as an effective overseas wicketkeeper-batter who, despite having a subpar season in 2025, possesses great potential. With the freed-up funds, they can go after a high-impact Indian wicketkeeper-batsman (either an opener or middle-order player) at a fraction of the cost in the auction, or use that freed-up overseas slot for a world-class finisher or an all-rounder. At this point in time, the risk of retaining De Kock at his price point becomes strategically unsound.

Vaibhav Arora

Role: Fast Bowler (India)

Vaibhav Arora is a young Indian pacer who has shown considerable potential, particularly with his ability to swing the new ball early on. He has the spark that KKR looks for in an Indian pace prospect. The issue with him is that he’s a bowler with two completely different personalities. His first spell with the new ball is frequently excellent; he swings it brilliantly and takes a wicket or two. However, he appears to collapse the moment the pivotal death overs begin (that 17th, 18th, and 19th over phase). When a game is on the line, KKR just cannot afford him since his economy rate immediately skyrockets and he becomes extremely pricey.

Vaibhav Arora’s Bowling in IPL 2025

Given the premium that KKR paid for him based on his potential, it is a necessary but tough call to put him on the KKR released players list. The management must clear that budget space and look for a more proven Indian death bowler in the mega-auction, or invest the money in a disciplined, multi-phase Indian seamer who can guarantee control throughout the innings.

Final Words

These are all the names that deserve to be on the 2026 KKR released players list for putting up a lacklustre show in the previous season. While some of them have the potential to do better, others are just past their prime.