Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders are busy rebuilding their squad. Despite winning the 2024 championship, the franchise owned by Shah Rukh Khan has already started planning early to form an even stronger team for the next season. From appointing a new head coach to a new bowling coach, KKR has completed several major recruitments in one go. The retention list released on 15 November also created a stir, as a few familiar faces were released by the franchise.
ব্যাটিং শক্তি বাড়াতে নিলামে এই প্রাক্তনীকে টার্গেট নাইট শিবিরের!
Amid all this, reports suggest that a former Chennai Super Kings player might return to Kolkata. At the center of speculation is Indian batter Rahul Tripathi.
Released by CSK — Is Rahul Tripathi Set to Return to KKR?
Ahead of the 2026 auction, KKR holds the highest purse amount, and the management aims to spend it wisely by securing an experienced and reliable batsman. According to national media reports, KKR is targeting Rahul Tripathi to bring stability to the top order.
However, Tripathi’s recent form hasn’t been impressive. For Chennai Super Kings in the last IPL, he played only 5 matches and scored just 55 runs. Yet he scored a remarkable 413 runs in 14 matches in the 2022 season—a performance that had put him back into the spotlight.
Despite his current slump, franchises still remember his experience and explosive innings from earlier seasons. If KKR brings him back, the Indian batsman will have to repay that faith by rediscovering his old form.
Rahul & KKR — Will the Old Partnership Return?
Rahul Tripathi began his IPL journey in 2017, scoring 391 runs in his debut season and instantly catching attention. He later played for KKR in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, during which his partnership with Manish Pandey became quite memorable.
This is why Tripathi’s fans are hopeful. They believe KKR might bring back the familiar face because an experienced Indian top-order batsman can be crucial to strengthening the batting lineup for the new season.
Looking Ahead — KKR’s Plans Are Clear
The exclusion of names like Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer from the retention list made it clear that KKR are heading for major changes. Ensuring consistency in batting is now their top priority. If Rahul Tripathi returns, he could provide both experience and aggressive batting at the top.