IPL 2026 Mini Auction: KKR Receive Crucial Wicketkeeping Boost Ahead of Squad Rebuild
KKR enter IPL 2026 mini auction with the highest purse and renewed strategy after releasing all wicketkeepers. Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s new wicketkeeping role gives the franchise a crucial boost ahead of rebuilding the squad.
Kolkata Knight Riders gear up for IPL 2026 rebuild with fresh auction strategy.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a big splash by letting go of their entire wicketkeeping unit, including the international stars Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz beside Indian keeper Luvnith Sisodia, just ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. This decision followed a disappointing IPL 2025 season in which KKR finished last and thus KKR decided to put everything on the table for the new coach Abhishek Nayar.
KKR Enter Auction With Highest Purse
KKR now directly go to the auction with the biggest purse of ₹64.3 crore and 13 empty slots that allow them to create a powerful and balanced squad. The team is likely to place the wicketkeeper-batter position at the top of the list while simultaneously adding depth in batting and all-rounders.
The cutting off of skilled overseas keepers hints at a turning of the tide towards the Indian players' stock in building a team around the likes of Rinku Singh and Ajinkya Rahane.
Surprise Boost: Angkrish Raghuvanshi Can Keep Wickets
Just as the worries was about KKR's wicketkeeping situation, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy brought a very surprising turn of events. Mumbai’s squad list indicated that Angkrish Raghuvanshi—who KKR retained and was signed for ₹3 crore in the previous mega auction—has been listed as a wicketkeeper.
Raghuvanshi is not the usual choice for the role but he has been training and taking part in the keeping duties during the T20 Mumbai League with the Mumbai Falcons. KKR may open the auction doors to a larger pool of players with their main man Raghuvanshi and an increased confidence level due to his growing skill set.
Big Decisions Ahead: Andre Russell’s Replacement Required
The KKR franchise will have to search for a player that can cover the huge gap that the release of Andre Russell, the long-time West Indies star, has created. It will not be easy for the three-time IPL champions to find the right all-rounder and power hitter to fill Russell's shoes.
In the upcoming auction pool, there will be both Indian domestic young blood and experienced international stars, KKR's selections will be decisive in determining their fortune in the next campaign.
