Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) finished 7th on the IPL 2026 points table under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane. However, Rahane has retired from the IPL, and the 2027 mini auction will see KKR management find a new captain if they don’t name vice-captain Rinku Singh as their new skipper.
Apart from this, since letting go of their IPL 2024 winner, Shreyas Iyer, things have gone downhill for KKR as a franchise. They need a stopgap solution for their miseries, and here are the three players KKR might release before the IPL 2027 mini auction.
Here are the 3 players KKR could release before the IPL 2027 mini-auction:
3. Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini was a replacement bowler for KKR after they lost several of their pacers to injury. He played two games for KKR in IPL 2026 but failed to pick up a wicket. Once known for his aggression and fiery pace, Saini looked like a mediocre bowler who has lost his sting. KKR can make space for someone new and instead lead Umran Malik to do the fast bowling in the IPL 2027 season.
2. Blessing Muzarabani
Blessing Muzarabani played two games for KKR in IPL 2026 and picked four wickets. However, he didn’t quite fit well into their bowling plans, and there is a huge chance that the tall Zimbabwean might find himself in the IPL 2027 auction vying for a new team. Muzarabani has experience with 170 T20 wickets in 149 games. However, it seems like KKR might not retain his services, choosing to release him into the auction pool.
1. Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi was picked to solve KKR’s top-order problems but failed to get a game in IPL 2026. He last played for CSK in IPL 2025 and scored 55 runs in 5 games in the tournament, leading to his release before the IPL 2026 auction. Tripathi has seen success in the IPL, with Rising Pune Supergiants and then for KKR and SRH. But he hasn’t been in top form in recent domestic cricket, and KKR will be wise to let him go and punt on some young batter in the upcoming IPL 2027.
