Aakash Chopra opens up on KKR’s potential releases ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on KKR’s potential releases ahead of IPL 2026 auction. The renowned commentator said the three-time champions should release Anrich Nortje, who has hardly played any cricket in the last couple of years due to injury woes.

Chopra said KKR should also release Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought for a massive amount of INR 23.75 crore. Iyer could only manage 142 runs in seven innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 20.29 and thus failed to justify his huge price tag.

“The biggest release point will be Venkatesh Iyer. The big story is that they gave more than ₹23 crore, and in the end, it seemed like too much money had been spent. If they release Venkatesh Iyer, straightaway ₹23.75 crore will get released, you will get around ₹5 crore more, and you will be in a very good space,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“However, KKR shouldn’t stop there. If you release Anrich Nortje, he is worth ₹6.50 crore. I am saying he should be released because Anrich Nortje has been a gun bowler, but when does he play? You won’t remember when was the last time you saw Anrich Nortje playing. There are too many injuries. It’s been ages since he has played,” he added.

Furthermore, the renowned commentator added that Australian pacer Spencer Johnson wasn’t able to do anything special in the matches he played. The left-arm seamer could only take a solitary wicket in the four matches he played.

“You might wish to release Spencer Johnson as well. He came for ₹2.80 crore. You thought he could be a replacement for Mitchell Starc, but it didn’t work out for Spencer Johnson. He didn’t do anything special in the matches he played, and he didn’t get too many chances to play as well,” he reasoned.

The former Delhi cricketer said captain Ajinkya Rahane’s retention can be a tricky question for KKR’s think tank.

“The big question was Ajinkya Rahane. Will you retain him or let him go? Tough one. He is actually a good captain, but if he is not opening, a place doesn’t get created in the XI. If you keep him with you this year as well, you should make him the captain, but if you do that, will you actually do the right thing?” Chopra observed.

The IPL franchises will release the list of their retained players before November 15, which is the deadline date. IPL 2026 mini-auction is likely to be scheduled on December 15.