Kolkata Knight Riders have been constantly on the lookout for a player who can be substituted for their skipper, Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane could be quoted as a middle-order batsman; however, he is not ideal to be retained as captain of the side.
The Knight Riders have made a massive change in their squad as Abhishek Nayar has been appointed as the new head coach of the side, replacing Chandrakant Pandit. Dwayne Bravo will continue as the team’s mentor.
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Delhi Capitals have rejected the Andre Russell deal
The Delhi Capitals were keen to part with KL Rahul, their marquee player, whom they bought at the mega auction of IPL 2025, but against mixed demand. The Knight Riders have reportedly hinted at several trade offers, but the Capitals have rejected them all.
Delhi Capitals were also reportedly offered Andre Russell for the exchange of KL Rahul in a trade deal. Delhi Capitals have rejected the offer, in addition to the three other offers reported by TOI.
According to reports, they also mentioned the swap deal between KL Rahul and Sunil Narine, Rahul and Rinku Singh-Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and finally Rahul and Raghuvanshi-Harshit Rana.
🚨📰| Sahil Malhotra of Times of India has reported that Kolkata Knight Riders had offered Andre Russell to Delhi Capitals in exchange for KL Rahul, but they turned it down. pic.twitter.com/hH9KUoEEsR
— KnightRidersXtra (@KKR_Xtra) November 4, 2025
KKR could release several players ahead of the mini-auction
The Kolkata Knight Riders underperformed the previous season as they managed to win only 5 matches in the edition and finished with 12 points in the season. They would be able to say a first-hand farewell to the skipper, Ajinkya Rahane.
In addition, other players can also be removed from their roster. It includes players like Moeen Ali and Spencer Johnson. The two players may be dropped from the team.
Finally, retained player Ramandeep Singh could also be dropped from the KKR squad before the mini-auction as he does not fit into the playing XI.
Will KKR wait for Sanju Samson to enter the IPL auction?
The Sanju Samson deal between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals is not finalized yet. The Royals demanded the likes of Tristan Stubbs, and the Capitals are reluctant to part ways with the Protea wicketkeeper.
Additionally, they have further pushed for another uncapped player in addition to Stubbs from the Capitals lineup. Sanju Samson could also lose this trade, which would certainly push him into the mini-auction, and he could attract one of the most attractive bids.
The KKR franchise would benefit from this as they can look to include him in the squad as a wicketkeeper, opening batsman and skipper. This could solve all their problems in every crucial role that they previously lacked.
ALSO READ: KL Rahul enters IPL auction in last-ditch effort to save T20 career
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