বিশ্বকাপের আগেই কোহলিকে টপকে ‘বিরাট’ নজির গড়লেন এই নাইট তারকা

In the match, Rinku scored 44 not out in the first game and 39 in the fourth match. While he couldn’t make a big score with the bat and India were bowled out for 165, his fielding contributions stood out significantly for the team.

Among his four catches, notable ones included Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, and Zakary Fooks. Rinku displayed spectacular fielding with high-flying catches, long-off dives, and jumping catches.

This record is limited to home matches. Pakistan’s Syed Ayub had taken the same number of catches in Auckland in 2024. Additionally, Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Ajinkya Rahane had taken four catches in a T20I against England in 2014, but that was on foreign soil.

Although Rinku shone in the field, India lost the fourth match by 50 runs due to the lack of big batting contributions. Nevertheless, his fielding performance will be remembered by cricket fans as a remarkable moment. Rinku Singh is proving that he is not just a batsman, but his fielding on home soil is also making a new mark in Indian cricket history.

নিলামের আগে বড় চমক! নতুন নেতা নাইটদের?

The release list includes big names like Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell. As a result, KKR is expected to be highly active at the auction, entering with a massive budget of over ₹64 crore to rebuild their squad.

After a disappointing performance last season, KKR aims for a full transformation going into the new season. Along with the release list, a possible change in captaincy also appears to be part of this plan. Last year, the franchise appointed Ajinkya Rahane as captain, but due to mid-season strategic issues and difficulties in managing the bowling unit, the team failed to perform as expected.

For the upcoming season, Rinku Singh has emerged as a strong contender for the captaincy. Over the past few seasons, Rinku has consistently delivered match-winning performances for KKR. He is exceptional in the field and can even contribute with the ball when needed. In the recent Ranji Trophy, he scored a superb 165 against Andhra and 176 against Tamil Nadu.

Rinku Singh’s strong on-field mindset, positive attitude, and great rapport with teammates make him a promising leadership candidate. If KKR doesn’t secure a big-name leader at the auction, the management is likely to turn their attention towards him.

নিলামের আগে এই ১৩ ক্রিকেটারকে রেখে ঘর গোছাবে শাহরুখের ফ্র্যাঞ্চাইজি!

KKR Wants a Fresh Start After a Disappointing Season

KKR had a disappointing 18th IPL season. Even after appointing Ajinkya Rahane as captain, the team could not meet expectations, finishing last in the points table. Analysts believe the team struggled to adapt to Rahane’s leadership and strategies. Now, KKR management is looking to start fresh and restructure the team for a stronger comeback.

Key Retentions

According to reports from CricBuzz and SportsYear, KKR plans to retain its mainstays, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. The management has no plans to release the two Caribbean stars, who have been pillars of KKR’s success for years and remain central to the team’s strategy for the new season.

Other Likely Retentions

Sources suggest that, in addition to Russell and Narine, the following players may also feature in KKR’s retention list:

Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Angkrish Raghuwanshi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rovman Powell, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Mayank Markande, Ajinkya Rahane

However, there is some uncertainty about whether Rahane will continue as captain. While he may remain in the squad, his leadership role could be reassessed.

Players Likely to Be Released

On the other hand, KKR may release a few big-name players before IPL 2026 to free up budget for the auction. Players reportedly at risk of being released include:

Venkatesh Iyer (₹23.75 crore), Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Anukul Roy

KKR management wants to retain flexibility in the budget to rebuild the squad strategically.

Budget Ahead of Auction

Reports suggest KKR will have a total budget of around ₹125 crore for the auction. After the retention period, the team may have ₹53–58 crore left to spend on new players. Combining the experience of Russell and Narine with the youth of Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, KKR aims to build a stronger, balanced team ahead of IPL 2026.

নিলামের আগেই এল ‘বিরাট’ আপডেট, এই ক্রিকেটারকে পাচ্ছে না KKR!

According to sources, discussions between Delhi Capitals (DC) and KKR regarding Rahul did take place, but no agreement could be reached. Initially, the Delhi franchise was open to releasing Rahul, but the players they demanded in exchange created a deadlock.

Delhi’s first choice was none other than Sunil Narine, one of KKR’s greatest match-winners. However, KKR made it clear that Narine is not for sale. The franchise has already decided to retain him for the next season as one of their all-time legends.

Delhi then made a second proposal, asking for Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh in exchange for Rahul. The Knight management flatly rejected that as well. As a third option, Delhi asked for Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harshit Rana, but again, KKR refused to part ways with either player.

KKR’s long-term plans reportedly center around Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who shares a close bond with KKR’s new head coach Abhishek Nayar, also his personal coach. Therefore, KKR is not willing to let go of the young batter. Interestingly, Angkrish also has links with JSW, the ownership group of Delhi Capitals — which makes DC even more eager to sign him.

Meanwhile, rumors of Rohit Sharma joining KKR have also been effectively dismissed. A recent Mumbai Indians social media post hinted at it, saying:

“The sun rising tomorrow is certain, but it can never rise at night (Knight).”
The clever wordplay on “Knight” made it clear that Rohit’s move to KKR is virtually impossible.

In another twist, Delhi Capitals are reportedly showing interest in acquiring Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals. If that deal goes through, it could make retaining Rahul even more difficult for them — leaving DC in a dilemma.

All in all, despite all the speculation before the mini-auction, KL Rahul’s move to KKR now seems almost impossible. The Knight Riders appear fully focused on building their future around their young talents rather than pursuing high-profile transfers.