Ajinkya Rahane to be KKR captain in IPL 2026? Here's the update

Legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have put together a formidable squad following the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Ashwin praised the franchise’s recruitment strategy, suggesting that KKR have addressed several key areas and now possess a well-balanced team capable of competing strongly in the upcoming season. However, despite acknowledging the strength of the squad on paper, Ashwin raised an important question regarding the team’s leadership moving forward. The former India all-rounder expressed uncertainty over whether Ajinkya Rahane would continue as KKR’s captain for IPL 2026.

Ajinkya Rahane will be KKR captain in IPL 2026?

Ajinkya Rahane, who took charge of the side last season, endured a challenging campaign as KKR struggled for consistency throughout the tournament. Under his leadership, the franchise finished eighth on the points table, managing just five wins from 14 matches. KKR’s disappointing run in IPL 2025 sparked debate among fans and experts, many of whom questioned some of the tactical decisions taken during matches. While Rahane’s experience and calm approach were seen as positives, critics felt that certain on-field calls may have cost the team momentum at crucial stages. With a refreshed squad now in place, KKR face a key decision on whether to persist with Rahane’s leadership or opt for a new direction as they look to return to playoff contention in IPL 2026.

The Kolkata Knight Riders management opted for a major reset ahead of the IPL 2026 season, entering the mini-auction held on Tuesday, December 16, with the largest available purse of INR 64.3 crore. Armed with significant financial flexibility, the three-time champions made their intent clear by aggressively reshaping the squad. KKR secured some high-profile signings, most notably Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, whose versatility adds balance across departments, and Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, widely regarded as one of the most effective death-over specialists in world cricket.

The franchise also strengthened its Indian core by bringing in proven domestic performers. Fast bowler Akash Deep was added to bolster the pace attack, while experienced batter Rahul Tripathi returned to the setup, offering stability and familiarity with the franchise’s environment. These additions reflect KKR’s focus on building a squad capable of delivering consistent performances across conditions.

Ashwin also highlighted the Rajasthan Royals’ auction strategy, praising their smart recruitment. Having already made headlines last month by trading all-rounders Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja in exchange for former captain Sanju Samson, Rajasthan continued their proactive approach by signing leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for INR 7 crore. According to Ashwin, these moves indicate a clear vision and balance in squad planning, positioning Rajasthan as another strong contender ahead of IPL 2026.

"KKR have a terrific side, I don't know whether Ajinkya will lead. But, if he leads that side with composure, that is one side to reckon with. Another team is the Rajasthan Royals, after doing such big trades, you come into the auction and bag Ravi Bishnoi for 7 crore. RR cooked in the auction, they are in an amazing position now," stated former CSK off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.  

"KKR did not run after Venkatesh Iyer, so I think that Cameron Green will open the batting, while Rahane might either open or bat at No.3. The biggest challenge for KKR is how they can bring Pathirana back to his best. If they can manage to squeeze in Pathirana's overs with the mystery spinners, how will opponents score? KKR are one hell of a team," he added. 

KKR IPL 2026 Squad

Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Umran Malik, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Rachin Ravindra, Vaibhav Arora, Prashant Solanki, Cameron Green, Mustafizur Rahman, Tejasvi Singh, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Akash Deep, Matheesha Pathirana, Rahul Tripathi, Daksh Kamra, Sarthak Ranjan, Kartik Tyagi