IPL 2026: KKR should release Venkatesh Iyer and target these three players ahead of auction

2. Saransh Jain

Three-time champions, KKR could find an ideal replacement for Venkatesh Iyer in Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain ahead of IPL 2026. The 32-year-old off-spin bowling all-rounder has been in stellar form in domestic cricket and has displayed consistent performances in the past year. Notably, no off-spinner in India has taken more wickets in first-class cricket recently than the Indore-born's 44 scalps, along with over 300 runs.

In the 2025 Duleep Trophy, Saransh played a crucial role for Central Zone, taking 5/49 and 3/130 in the final and dismissing batters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer in the semi-final against a star-studded West Zone line-up. His ability to pick wickets and contribute handy runs in the lower order makes him an interesting prospect.