KKR Players Who Could Announce Retirement From IPL After 2026

KKR players who can take IPL retirement [Source: AFP]

The upcoming IPL 2026 season will be a litmus test for the former champions, KKR, as the team is dealing with multiple injury issues, and on paper, the three-time IPL winners look weak as they head towards the campaign with an aim of winning the title once again.

Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the team failed to deliver in IPL 2025, as they couldn’t qualify for the playoffs. Several players underperformed, and the big names failed as KKR aims for redemption in the upcoming campaign.

However, several KKR squad members could call time on their IPL careers (due to age factor and form), and here are 3 such KKR players who could take this harsh call after IPL 2026.

1) Ajinkya Rahane

When Shreyas Iyer left KKR to join Punjab Kings, it was expected that the franchise would appoint a young leader, but that was not the case as the franchise bought Rahane and made him their new skipper.

Last season, Ajinkya Rahane was decent with the bat, but his leadership style was heavily criticised as KKR failed to qualify for the playoffs. He scored 390 runs in 13 matches, and while the strike rate was good (147.73), the upcoming season could decide Rahane’s IPL future.

At 37, Rahane is not getting any younger, and if the KKR captain fails to perform, he could be released from the squad. With Rahane at the twilight of his career, many IPL franchises might not be interested in buying him, and hence, the KKR captain could call time on his career.

2) Sunil Narine

The backbone of the KKR franchise for the last 14 years, Sunil Narine has won three IPL titles with the franchise, but with Andre Russell leaving KKR at the end of last season, don’t be surprised if Narine follows the same path.

Form is never an issue with Narine, as the all-rounder has consistently delivered with both bat and ball. However, just like Rahane, Narine is 37-years-old and is not getting any younger.

He still has the ability to deliver in both departments (bat and ball), but the question arises: can he stay fit to play the entire IPL season?

KKR is having an ageing squad, and perhaps, the team might want to build a younger core from the next season onwards, and hence, Narine could follow Russell’s path and take IPL retirement.

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3) Manish Pandey

Unlike Rahane and Narine, Manish Pandey is not a sure-shot starter for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and in IPL 2026, he might just warm the bench.

In the last two seasons, the Indian batter has only played 4 matches, which showcases that teams don’t trust him in the playing XI. Last season, he was decent for KKR, but with too many quality Indian options available this season, Manish Pandey might not play too many games.

If KKR decides to release him next season, which could be a possibility, the ex-RCB player might not find a suitable IPL buyer, and he could be forced to take retirement.

Final verdict

KKR has an ageing squad, and the franchise should aim to rebuild its team. For that to happen, three big names might have to be sacrificed (Rahane, Narine, and Manish Pandey), and if that happens, there could be IPL retirement loading.

The three players mentioned have all done well for KKR recently, but the age factor, combined with the need to have a younger crop, might force them to announce their IPL retirement.

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