3 players KKR shouldn't release ahead of IPL 2026 despite recent poor returns ft. Umran Malik

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) endured a tough campaign in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). They were never in serious contention for the playoffs and eventually finished eighth, with only 12 points to their name from 14 matches.

The Knight Riders have plenty of work to do during the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. Before that, Kolkata will need to ponder releasing a few of their existing players to free up their purse strings. However, they are a franchise known for keeping faith in their stars, and some should certainly be backed to stay on for the next campaign.

KKR's squad for IPL 2025: Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Luvnith Sisodia, Ajinkya Rahane, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mayank Markande, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Umran Malik, Chetan Sakariya (r), Shivam Shukla (tr).

On that note, here are three players KKR shouldn't release ahead of IPL 2026 despite their recent poor returns.

#3 Umran Malik

New Zealand v India - 1st ODI - Source: Getty

Umran Malik unfortunately missed the entirety of IPL 2025 with injury. He has recovered since, but his form in domestic cricket has been disappointing. The express quick is currently nowhere in the international picture and has a lot of work to do on his game.

However, KKR can't afford to let Umran go. They have barely any fast bowlers on their roster, and someone as talented as the Jammu & Kashmir pacer needs to be retained if he isn't too expensive. He is bound to flourish if he works with coaches as intelligent as Dwayne Bravo, and giving him time to overcome his injury and form issues is a must.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane

2025 IPL - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders - Source: Getty

Recently, some rumors have surfaced that KKR are willing to release Ajinkya Rahane. The current skipper was their top scorer last season, but since then, his domestic form hasn't been convincing at all.

Rahane has failed in five of his six innings in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, and although the sixth was a century, he doesn't inspire much confidence. The veteran batter doesn't play international cricket anymore, and for him to sustain a high level of performance in the IPL won't be easy.

But do KKR have any other choices? They will likely struggle to find a new captain, with their efforts to secure KL Rahul's signing falling short. Moreover, Rahane was one of their only bright spots with the bat last season.

#1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz

2025 IPL - Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings - Source: Getty

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's T20 game hasn't developed in the way KKR and Afghanistan would have liked it to. He endured a rough campaign in 2025, making just 74 runs in five matches at an average of 18.5.

Gurbaz, however, is still a player with a high ceiling. The keeper-batter is likely to be preferred ahead of Quinton de Kock, who is clearly reaching the end of his career. KKR don't have many keeping options outside Gurbaz and Luvnith Sisodia, making his retention a viable option.

Edited by Sai Krishna