"They will make him a wicketkeeper-batter" - Former India coach on KKR ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India coach Sanjay Bangar has opined that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would convert Angkrish Raghuvanshi into a wicketkeeper-batter in IPL 2026. He also reckoned that Ajinkya Rahane would continue to lead the franchise in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.

KKR have retained only 12 players heading into the IPL 2026 auction. They have a remaining purse of ₹64.30 crore to acquire at most 13 players, including six overseas, at the mini auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16.

During an interaction on Star Sports, Bangar opined that while Rahane would likely bat at the top of the order and lead KKR in IPL 2026, Raghuvanshi could keep wickets for the franchise.

"Rahane starts at the top of the order and he would continue to lead the team because I don't see any other captaincy candidate coming into the auction. They would certainly want to consider continuing with Ajinkya Rahane. Raghuvanshi, I believe that he will keep the gloves as well. So, in addition to his batting, they will make him a wicketkeeper-batter," he said.

The former India all-rounder added that while Rovman Powell could perform the role Andre Russell used to play, Ramandeep Singh and Vaibhav Arora could be the batting and bowling impact players, respectively.

"Powell, I think he clearly comes in in the finisher's slot. He has got that ability, similar sort of a role as Andre Russell. I see him slotting in quite nicely. Ramandeep and Vaibhav could be your impact players," Bangar observed.

Rovman Powell scored five runs in the only innings he played for KKR in IPL 2025. While Ramandeep Singh managed just 47 runs at a paltry average of 9.40 in seven innings, Vaibhav Arora picked up 17 wickets at an economy rate of 10.11 in 12 innings in this year's edition of the prestigious league.

---

"I don't really think so" - Sanjay Bangar on Cameron Green being top priority for KKR in IPL 2026 auction

Cameron Green could be the most expensive player in the IPL 2026 auction. [P/C: Getty]

In the same interaction, Sanjay Bangar replied in the negative when asked whether Cameron Green would be the Kolkata Knight Riders' top priority at the IPL 2026 auction as a No. 4 batter and a replacement for Andre Russell.

"At the moment, I don't really think so because I believe that they would want to buy back Venkatesh Iyer. Even though they got him at a very high valuation last season, they have a lot of faith in Venkatesh. In my view, he would take the slot at No. 4," he said.

While expecting Rinku Singh to bat slightly up the order, the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach wondered whether Green has proved his credentials yet in the IPL.

"Rinku will get those opportunities slightly higher up the order. If KKR make up their mind, Cameron Green will end up there, but how effective will he be in that particular role? He is yet to prove a point in the IPL," Bangar observed.

To conclude, Sanjay Bangar opined that KKR would certainly go shopping for an overseas quick. He named Matheesha Pathirana as a potential acquisition for the three-time IPL champions, highlighting that the Sri Lankan seamer's inclusion would make the bowling attack very skillful.

Edited by Kartik Iyer