Three teams that might appoint new captain after IPL 2026 auction
With the player retention deadline set for November 15, teams are finalizing their release lists, and a few franchises could undergo significant changes.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders
After a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, the Kolkata Knight Riders are reportedly eyeing a major overhaul ahead of the 2026 season. The two-time champions, who lifted the trophy in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer, endured a poor run under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, finishing eighth on the points table with just five wins. KKR’s decision to release their title-winning skipper, Shreyas, after the 2024 edition backfired, as the team struggled. While Rahane led the team decently, many of his decisions came under question. Despite scoring 390 runs himself, Rahane’s leadership raised questions about his position as a leader.
Venkatesh Iyer, bought for a whopping INR 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, was seen as a potential long-term leader, and was also appointed as the vice-captain ahead of the 18th season of the cash-rich tournament. However, his underwhelming returns with the bat have also raised concerns. Reports suggest that the three-time champions might release him to free up funds for the 2026 mini-auction and scout a stronger leader.
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