Former India wicketkeeper and national selector Saba Karim revealed what kind of players Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) can target in the IPL 2026 mini-auction to be held on December 16.
Karim said KKR may consider re-signing Venkatesh Iyer During the program in Abu Dhabi. Last year, in the mega-auction of IPL 2025, KKR had bought this player for Rs 23.75 crore. However, after a disappointing season in which he scored just 142 runs in 11 matches at an average of 20.29, the left-handed batsman was dropped from the team.
Karim believes that KKR released Venkatesh because they feel that the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder will not fetch big money in the mini-auction. The cricketer-turned-expert believes that it was KKR head coach Abhishek Nair's decision.
Analyzing the move on JioHotstar, Karim said, “There is a strong possibility that KKR may buy him back. He was released for Rs 23 crore, freeing up a huge amount in their budget, and chances are high that he will not go for that much money in the mini-auction now. This is a classic move from Abhishek Nair as he always wants to start fresh.”
He said, “He keeps only those players whom he believes are part of the winning combination and will be regulars in the playing XI. The rest he buys back in the auction. I think he will build his team like this. I have always seen Abhishek Nair work like this. So I think the KKR management believes that perhaps Venkatesh Iyer has outlived his usefulness, the same way they valued Andre Russell over the years.”
He will have many options in the auction: Karim
Karim also mentioned that KKR need to look for a wicketkeeper who can open the batting, especially after releasing Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The 58-year-old also said that the three-time champions need an explosive power hitter in the lower middle order.
He said, “They did not retain Rahmanullah Gurbaz. That means they need an opening batsman. If that player can also be a wicketkeeper, it will be beneficial for KKR. They will have many options in the auction. They also need an explosive power hitter for the lower middle order. I think filling these two spots will be the most important thing for KKR in the upcoming auction.”
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