IPL 2026: Predicting KKR strongest playing XI

The Kolkata Knight Riders have put together a strong team after the IPL 2026 auction, which took place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025.

KKR made audacious moves going into the auction with the biggest purse and the most places to fill. They spent heavily on Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana, adding depth with players like Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, and Mustafizur Rahman.

The team now has outstanding balance thanks to maintaining a strong core that includes the seasoned Ajinkya Rahane, explosive Rinku Singh, mystery spinner Sunil Narine, and wrist-spin magician Varun Chakravarthy.

Here is the predicted KKR strongest playing XI of IPL 2026:

Rachin Ravindra or Finn Allen are likely to open the innings for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025, along with Ajinkya Rahane or Tim Seifert. Seifert will also likely be the wicketkeeper for the KKR franchise.

Ajinkya Rahane, if not opening, will bat at no. 3, a spot where he excelled for Chennai Super Kings. Angkrish Raghuvanshi will follow next at no. 4 and might also keep wickets, if needed. The middle order will see Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, and Ramandeep Singh bolstering the big-hitting in the second half of the batting innings.

Varun Chakaravarthy will be the second spinner with Sunil Narine, with Rachin Ravindra for support. Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora will lead the KKR pace attack, and Matheesha Pathirana, their newest acquisition, will bolster their pace attack.

Coming to the impact players, Rahul Tripathi and Manish Pandey will be the likely options when it comes to batting. Anukul Roy, who recently starred in Jharkhand’s Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 win, might be the spin impact player, and he can bat as well. Expect Umran Malik to rise to the occasion as well. 

Predicted KKR strongest playing XI of IPL 2026:

Tim Seifert (WK), Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Matheesha Pathirana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy.

Impact Players: Rahul Tripathi, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Umran Malik.

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