IPL: 3 KKR players who may find a new team in IPL 2026

After winning the championship the previous year, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended the season at number eight. They only managed to win five games this season and were unable to sign their title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer. Here are three players whom KKR can let go of as part of their future planning, particularly for a 2026 IPL comeback.

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1. Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock played in seven games this season and began as the primary wicketkeeper for KKR. He had a strike rate of 137 and scored 143 runs, but the majority of those runs came from an undefeated 97 against the Rajasthan Royals in one outstanding innings. He didn't score many goals in the last six games. 

Quinton de Kock will probably be released by KKR prior to 2026 as a result. Letting de Kock go can be an option for KKR, given they already have Gurbaz as a keeper-batter. As the organisation prepares for the future, De Kock is among the KKR players who will be released in 2026.

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2. Anrich Nortje

It was shocking that Anrich Nortje only played in two IPL 2025 games. The fast bowler gave up 83 runs off 7 overs and took just one wicket in the two games he participated in. KKR is probably going to have to let Nortje go before the 2026 IPL due to his injury issues. 

He has been an excellent bowler for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, but his frequent injury scares throw the club off balance, making him unreliable. He might therefore need to look for a new team in the next auctions.

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3. Spencer Johnson

In the KKR squad, Spencer Johnson was intended to take Mitchell Starc's place. However, the Australian left-arm seamer was a huge letdown, taking just one wicket in four games. He also had the lowest economy of any bowler for the KKR, at 11.73. Johnson will probably be let go because KKR wants to change up their quick bowling assault. At any level of cricket, much less the IPL, his bowling average of 133 is simply unacceptable. Russell and other resources may be used more effectively, and KKR already has more potent pace bowling options.

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