Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has said that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) might be looking for an experienced Indian wicketkeeperbatter-batter who can lead the team in IPL 2026. He also added that the three-time champions would have tried to trade in either KL Rahul or Sanju Samson from the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR), respectively as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “I think they tried to do a trade as well. I think they went to Delhi, that they should give them KL Rahul and take Venkatesh Iyer from them. They said, ‘Thank you.’ I think they would have spoken to Sanju Samson, that RR can give them Sanju Samson and take Venkatesh Iyer from them. They would have also said, ‘Leave it,” he said.
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“They ideally need a senior Indian wicketkeeper-batter who can captain. That is the best. For that, KL Rahul or else Sanju Samson or else Rishabh Pant, but all three of them might not come in the auction. Sanju Samson might already be seen in Chennai’s jersey. Delhi might not release KL Rahul. LSG will not release Rishabh Pant. So it doesn’t work out for them there either,” he shared again.
However, Aakash Chopra also stated that the Kolkata Knight Riders could save significant money by releasing Venkatesh Iyer and reacquiring
him for a cheaper sum at the IPL 2026 auction as well.
“They can release Venkatesh Iyer and buy him back. They would get him for ₹8-12 crore. They will still save ₹12-13 crore. I think Venkatesh Iyer will still get ₹8-10 crores in the mini auction, but he won’t get ₹23.75 crore. Don’t think about continuity this time, but slightly about prudence. Backup for Indian pacers because Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, and then who? It will be great if they can get a backup there. Overseas pacers, if they release both Anrich Nortje and Spencer Johnson, then they will need overseas fast bowlers. They will have money for that. I don’t think they will have a money issue,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
