Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction as the team with the largest purse of Rs 64.30 crore, positioning them to rebuild after a disappointing 2025 season where they failed to reach the playoffs.
The auction, set for December 16 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi starting at 2:30 PM IST, features 359 players including a surprise entry by former KKR wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
Under new head coach Abhishek Nayar, backed by consultants Shane Watson and Tim Southee, KKR has released key players like Venkatesh Iyer, while Andre Russell has retired from IPL and has joined KKR as power coach. Interestingly, the Knight Riders released all of their designated wicketkeepers ahead of the auction, meaning they will have to fill the void
in the mini auction.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi, one of the retained players, has been emerging as a wicketkeeper, but KKR would still require a couple of wicketkeepers in the auction. Here are four players whom they can eye-
Jamie Smith
Jamie Smith is a perfect fit for KKR due to his dual wicketkeeping-batting skills, addressing their need for a reliable keeper-top order batsman after releasing key players. His aggressive finishing and opening ability solve KKR's middle-order woes and the Englishman can be a top option for them. With a strike rate of 144 in T20s, he can hone multiple roles at KKR. Many experts feel Smith will fetch big money in auction, and KKR would definitely be in the race for him.
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis holds a credible pedigree as a wicketkeeper-batter and can be a handy addition for KKR. The Sri Lanka batter has been in excellent form recently and KKR can eye him in the auction. Mendis also has a lower base price, which may attract multiple suitors, but the Knight Riders can get him if they want to.
Tushar Raheja
KKR can target Tushar Raheja in the IPL 2026 auction as an explosive uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman, perfectly suiting their massive ₹64 crore purse and need for top-order aggression. The 24-year-old left-hander boasts stellar TNPL 2025, where he led scoring with 488 runs in 9 innings at 61 average and 185 SR, smashing 46 fours and 32 sixes. Raheja, being an uncapped player, is expected to come at a modest price, and the Knight Riders would definitely keep their plans for him.
