Following an unsuccessful performance in the IPL 2025 season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) came to the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a definite plan to reconstruct. KKR, with the highest allowed budget of ₹64.3 crore, splurged and surely made notable signings.
Nevertheless, even though the line-up looks pretty good on the paper, there are still some players who might not even get to play a game during the next season. Notwithstanding this, let us have a look at three players from the recently made signings who are likely to stay on the bench for the 2024 champions in this article.
Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2026 auction buys
Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman, Finn Allen, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep
Akash Deep
KKR signed Akash Deep for ₹1 crore during the mini-auction for IPL 2026. The paceman from Bengal was first not sold, but KKR then later brought him in the accelerated auction at his base price.
He is a bowler who is well-known for his ability to swing the new ball and to cause problems for the batsmen at the start of the innings. Nevertheless, he has been dogged by injuries and erratic chances that have hindered his IPL journey up to now. His stint with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025 was a short one in which he played only six matches and took three wickets with an economy rate of 12.05.
KKR already has a solid and integrated pace attack with the likes of Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman, and Harshit Rana. Plus, Vaibhav Arora can step in as a reliable Indian back-up. Akash Deep, facing such stiff competition for his spot, may find getting into the playing XI a Herculean task unless the injuries make it happen.
Rachin Ravindra
In the second phase of the auction, Rachin Ravindra was picked by KKR for ₹2 crores after being unnoticed in the first round. He can come down to the top order and also his spin bowling will be an asset to the team, so it is like he will be a replacement to Sunil Narine.
But KKR is still going to open with Sunil Narine as a non-starter in IPL 2025 season. Ajinkya Rahane, who is also likely to be the captain, may also continue as an opener along with him.
With the top two batter positions almost secured, Rachin Ravindra might not get a lot of chances. The New Zealand all-rounder would be mostly occupying the bench unless the first openers are injured or their form goes downhill drastically.
Prashant Solanki
Prashant Solanki was picked by KKR for ₹30 lakh in the mini-auction. The Indian legbie is one who adds control and variations to the spin department.
But KKR’s spin department is already quite strong with Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy at the top. Anukul Roy is another name the Kolkata team can count on when the conditions favor spinners.
Solanki has played an extremely limited IPL since he has just turned out for two games with Chepauk Super Kings (CSK) in 2022 picking two wickets on his way. Considering that IPL 2026 will see KKR sticking to their strong bowling combination of the experienced ones, Solanki is bound to feel hard in getting a place in the playing XI.
