Three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to approach the IPL 2026 Auction with a renewed strategy under their newly-appointed head coach, Abhishek Nayar. Nayar has
made a series of bold decisions to free up a significant portion of their budget. Speaking on JioStar, former India cricketer Saba Karim discussed KKR’s strategic release list, including the high-profile decision to release Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought for Rs 23.75 crore in the last auction.
Analysing the move, JioStar expert Karim said, “There is a strong possibility that KKR may buy him back. He was released at 23 crores, which freed up a huge amount in their budget, and chances are high that he may not go for that much money now in the mini-auction. This is a classic Abhishek Nayar move because he always wants to start fresh.”
“He only keeps players he believes are part of a winning combination and will be regulars in the playing eleven. The rest, he buys back in the auction. I think he will build his team that way. I’ve always seen Abhishek Nayar work like this. So I feel the KKR management believes that maybe Venkatesh Iyer has exhausted his utility, similar to how they valued Andre Russell for years,” he added.
With KKR opting not to retain Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim highlighted the franchise’s clear targets for the auction.
“They did not retain Rahmanullah Gurbaz. That means they need an opening batter. If that player can also be a wicketkeeper, it will be beneficial for KKR. They will have many options in the auction. They also need an explosive power hitter for the lower middle order. I think filling these two spots will be the most important thing for KKR in the upcoming auction,” he added.
In 2021, Venkatesh made a significant impact by scoring 370 runs in ten games during his debut season, helping KKR reach the final, although they lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In their title-winning year in 2024, the southpaw again scored 370 runs. However, things were challenging in 2025 as he managed only 142 runs in 11 games, with one fifty, at an average of 20.28.
(With ANI Inputs)
