Aakash Chopra opens up on Kolkata Knight Riders’ releases ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Kolkata Knight Riders’ releases ahead of IPL 2026 auction. Chopra said loyalty is no longer given the importance in the Indian Premier League and the teams are taking a more pragmatic approach than emotional decisions.

The three-time champions decided to release their veteran all-rounder Andre Russell, who played for them for 11 years. KKR have released a total of six overseas players and also let go of Venkatesh Iyer after the left-hander could not deliver the goods when he was bought for a huge amount of INR 23.75 crore.

After the releases, KKR have a massive purse remaining of INR 64.30 crore, which is the most among all the 10 teams.

“Kolkata have said they would change everything. They have released six overseas players. Loyalty used to be royalty earlier. Now loyalty is nothing. Now unemotional trades are the new thing. There was an era when Andre Russell had tweeted that he would always be a knight till he plays the IPL. Then Venky Mysore said he would always be a knight, but he is no longer a knight,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator said KKR didn’t utilise Andre Russell with guile in the last couple of seasons and thus could not get the best out of him.

“Is he done yet completely? No, you didn’t get him to bat much last time. He scored 167 runs in 110-odd balls. He scored runs the year before that as well. He didn’t get to play too many balls and didn’t get to bowl much. He had a limited role,” he observed.

In IPL 2025, Russell scored 167 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 163.72 including a 50. Furthermore, Dre Russ scalped eight wickets in nine innings at an average of 27.12 and an economy of 11.94.

On the other hand, former KKR batter, Chopra, reckons the franchise have made up their mind that they need the services of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green.

“Maybe they have made up their mind that they need Cameron Green. You can spend ₹25 crore because ₹40 crore will still be left even after spending ₹25 crore. So you don’t have any concern till ₹25 crore. At least one player they put their finger on will be theirs, and it’s possible that two players they put their finger on could be theirs,” he said.

The renowned commentator KKR needs a wicket-keeper bat, who can open the innings for the franchise in the next edition.

“Who can be the second? I am thinking about Cameron Green as one because an all-rounder is required. Second, I think they need a wicketkeeper opening batter because they don’t have a wicketkeeper at all. It could be Tim Seifert, Jonny Bairstow or Jamie Smith, or anyone else they might have thought about. They can get whoever they want,” Chopra observed.

The IPL 2026 auction is likely to take place on December 15.