The three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders claimed their third IPL title in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, but the franchise has struggled to sustain that level since. The team released Iyer ahead of the 2025 season and has not recaptured the same form.

However, the situation worsened further under Ajinkya Rahane, with KKR finishing eighth and seventh in the last two seasons and missing the playoffs on both occasions. Apart from the batting inconsistencies, Rahane has since announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, leaving the franchise without a confirmed captain heading into IPL 2027. The retention deadline is reported as November 17, 2026, with the mini-auction scheduled for December 16, 2026, in Goa.

Here are 3 Kolkata Knight Riders players who might not be retained:

3. Rachin Ravindra

The New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was picked up by KKR at the IPL 2026 auction for INR 2 crore after going unsold in the first set of all-rounders. Although Ravindra is a capable left-hand bat and left-arm orthodox spinner, he did not feature in a single match throughout IPL 2026.

KKR already have Finn Allen and Tim Seifert as overseas top-order options, which limits Ravindra's path into the playing XI. His T20 batting is still considered to be developing, and with overseas slots at a premium, the franchise may look elsewhere. Shai Hope has been mentioned as a potential alternative, given his recent performances in India and his leadership credentials. Releasing Ravindra would free up INR 2 crore for use at the IPL 2027 auction.

2. Matheesha Pathirana

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana was signed by KKR at the IPL 2026 auction for INR 18 crore to address their death-bowling concerns, having previously spent four seasons with Chennai Super Kings. However, Pathirana managed just one match during IPL 2026 before an injury ended his campaign, and he bowled only eight deliveries across the entire season without taking a wicket.

At 23, Pathirana's variations and yorker-bowling ability remain genuine strengths, and his career record before joining KKR was impressive, including the second-best economy in overs 11-20 among fast bowlers since 2022, behind only Jasprit Bumrah. Releasing Pathirana would recover a significant portion of KKR's auction budget, and the franchise could look at options such as Sonny Baker or Josh Tongue to fill the pace-bowling vacancy at the IPL 2027 auction.

1. Cameron Green

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was acquired by KKR at the IPL 2026 auction for INR 25.20 crore, a fee that made him the most expensive overseas player ever sold at an IPL auction and the third-most expensive overall. He was brought in following Andre Russell's departure from the franchise.

Green scored 322 runs across 14 matches in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 145, including two fifties, which showed his batting value. However, a back injury restricted his bowling throughout the season, and he managed only seven wickets with the ball. Given that KKR's bowling struggles were a key weakness and that Green and Pathirana together accounted for roughly INR 43.20 crore of the squad's budget, the franchise faces a difficult decision on whether his returns justify that outlay ahead of the IPL 2027 auction.