3 Kolkata Knight Riders players who might be benched in IPL 2026

Published - 25 Mar 2026, 16:30 IST | Updated - 25 Mar 2026, 16:34 IST

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.

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.