IPL Auction: KKR's most expensive player in each IPL season

Published - 02 Nov 2025, 18:20 IST | Updated - 02 Nov 2025, 18:21 IST

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are three-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), having won the coveted title for the last time in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, with Gautam Gambhir working as the mentor.

While KKR have performed magnificently on the field, a lot of credit should go to their think tank, which has roped in some exceptional players over the years through tactical brilliance. Barring a few auctions, KKR have done splendidly, signing some world-class players who have represented the badge with pride.

KKR has been one of the teams that has given immense importance to loyalty. They have often re-signed players who have played for them in the past. Two of their talismanic all-rounders - Andre Russell and Sunil Narine - had years where they could not live up to their reputation. However, the KKR management did not let go of them and instead, supported them through thick and thin.

Elaborating on the loyalty aspect, some KKR fans were hurt by Rahane's comments after he had scored a half-century against the Kolkata-based franchise in 2023. In 2022, he played for KKR, but appeared in only seven matches. After joining the Chennai Super Kings in 2023, Rahane became one of the mainstays of their batting that season.

Following his half-century against KKR at the Eden Gardens in April 2023, Rahane said that he cannot score runs when he is not playing. KKR fans felt that this was a subtle dig at their favourite franchise. However, the management did not try to read between the lines and roped him in ahead of last season and made him captain.

KKR won their first two titles in 2012 and 2014 under Gambhir's leadership. They are one of the most successful teams in the competition. After finishing eighth in IPL 2025, the Knights will look to assemble a formidable side at the IPL 2026 mini auction and seek redemption next year.

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