3 reasons why KKR must not release Ajinkya Rahane ahead of IPL 2026 retention deadline

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane could be one among several players released from the side ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline of November 15. The three-time IPL champions were among the biggest disappointments of the 2025 season, finishing eighth in the standings with only five wins in 14 outings.

Rahane took over as captain in his maiden season with the franchise, a year after they enjoyed one of the most dominant title runs in IPL history under Shreyas Iyer. The latest reports have suggested that the skipper could be one of many renowned names released by KKR in an attempt to start from scratch.

While several others being let go by the marquee franchise is easily comprehensible, Rahane must be one of the few KKR must retain at all costs, entering the IPL 2026 season.

Here are three key reasons the 2024 champions must not release Ajinkya Rahane ahead of the retention deadline.

#1 Ajinkya Rahane was KKR's lone bright spot with the bat last season

KKR may have endured several roadblocks with the bat in their underwhelming 2025 IPL season, but skipper Ajinkya Rahane was far from the issue. If anything, the 37-year-old was one of the only reasons to cheer for the huge numbers that turned up at the Eden Gardens.

The veteran right-hander finished as the team's leading run-scorer in IPL 2025 with 390 runs, 90 clear of second-place Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Rahane also averaged over 35 and scored at an excellent strike rate of almost 148 in 13 outings.

Furthermore, the KKR skipper was brilliant in home games, averaging over 47 at a strike rate of 152.15 in six innings. Rahane was particularly impressive in stamping his authority in the powerplay, averaging 119 at a strike rate of over 187.

However, KKR's middle order failed to follow their captain's lead with the bat, resulting in the side's sub-par batting displays last season.

#2 Little to gain, much to lose financially

Ajinkya Rahane was one of KKR's bargain buys at the IPL 2025 auction if his output is pitted against his auction price. The franchise waited until the final stages before acquiring the veteran right-hander at just ₹1.5 crores.

For context, 14 other KKR players were higher-priced than Rahane, even as he finished as arguably their best batter in IPL 2025. By releasing their skipper, KKR will add very little to their remaining purse at the upcoming mini auction.

It is safe to say almost all the franchises will sign up for Rahane's batting output and veteran leadership at the price KKR bought him for, making it a financial net-negative to release the star right-hander.

Additionally, the three-time champions have several other releasable starters and bench players that are either past their prime, have delivered very little, or are likely to be a misfit.

#3 Acquiring a Rahane-like package implausible at the mini auction

The dynamics of a mini auction make it improbable for KKR to land an overall package like Ajinkya Rahane. Most franchises will almost certainly retain or, at worst, trade a bona fide top-order Indian batter, especially one with experience.

Add to this the captaincy element, and identifying a top-order Indian batter cum captain at any price will be next to impossible in the mini auction. Rahane's 38 matches as an IPL captain and his over 5,000 runs in the league are nothing to sneeze at.

To think KKR boasts that at a price less than several players' base price of ₹2 crores makes Rahane arguably the least releasable commodity. IPL aside, Rahane has also been active in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, scoring a brilliant 159 two games back for Mumbai.

A still fit and hungry Ajinkya Rahane, with a year of captaincy under his belt, should only improve upon his already solid performances as batter and possibly as captain for KKR next season.

Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran