3 Kolkata Knight Riders players who might be benched in IPL 2026

2. Manish Pandey (Batter)

Manish Pandey is an icon in KKR folklore. The knock from the 2014 final still remains in the minds of KKR fans and his vital contributions with the bat have taken the team home on multiple occasions. Re-signed in the 2025 Mega Auction, Manish comes in as one of KKR's veterans, who provides valuable experience in the squad. 

With 3,850 runs in 171 games, Manish is an experienced customer in the IPL, but with young prospects like Angkrish Raghuvanshi and established Indian names like Rinku Singh and Ramadeep Singh in the team, KKR might find it difficult to find a place for the former India man.