3 KKR players who might be benched in IPL 2026 (Photo source: IPL)

The Kolkata Knight Riders found themselves going into the auction with the highest purse available after a dismal season where they were able to manage just an eighth-placed finish. While they spent big money on the likes of Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana, their squad still looks to have holes.

With the withdrawal of Mustafizur Rahman and Harshit Rana missing the season due to injury, their plans have been put into disarray.

But despite this, there are a few names that could find themselves with minimal playing time for KKR. Their possible combinations and existing players leave them with very little chance of being able to make a mark in this season.

Here are 3 KKR players who could be benched for entire IPL 2026: 3. Anukul Roy (All-rounder)

Anukul Roy had an impressive season for Jharkhand as they went on to lift the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy. With 303 runs and 18 wickets in 11 games, he was awarded the Player-of-the-Tournament and has developed into a fine all-rounder, equally capable with bat and ball.

But KKR already have a settled spin-bowling attack with veteran Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy holding their places. Anukul could come in as the third spinner in games where the wicket favours turn, but breaking into the team ahead of the two mystery spinners would be a difficult task for the man from Jharkhand.

2. Manish Pandey (Batter)

Manish Pandey is an icon in KKR folklore. The knock from the 2014 final still remains in the minds of KKR fans and his vital contributions with the bat have taken the team home on multiple occasions.

Re-signed in the 2025 Mega Auction, Manish comes in as one of KKR's veterans, who provides valuable experience in the squad. 

With 3,850 runs in 171 games, Manish is an experienced customer in the IPL, but with young prospects like Angkrish Raghuvanshi and established Indian names like Rinku Singh and Ramadeep Singh in the team, KKR might find it difficult to find a place for the former India man.

1. Rachin Ravindra (Batting all-rounder) Rachin Ravindra (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Rachin Ravindra was signed by KKR for his base price of INR 2.00 crore.

A bonafide batting sensation, who is handy with his left-arm spin, Rachin is yet to find the knack for T20 cricket with his batting. He had an impressive T20 World Cup recently, but it was his bowling that stood out more than his batting in the twenty-team tournament.

KKR are more likely to favour the attacking intent of the likes of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert at the top and Ajinkya Rahane, the captain, finding a place at No. 3, while big-money signing Cameron Green is expected to start in the middle order.

With able Indian batting in between, Rachin finds himself without a clear place in the team. He could be an able backup for Sunil Narine with his bowling, but ahead of him in the pecking order stands Anukul Roy, a domestic option which would be favoured.