Kolkata Knight Riders have been a powerhouse in the IPL since 2008. They have won multiple titles and thrilled fans with their exciting cricket. Over the years, KKR has gained a reputation for supporting young talent while also mixing in experienced players.
As they head into IPL 2026, the team wants to find more consistency after a few mixed seasons. With a well-rounded squad and smart additions, KKR hopes to convert individual talent into solid team performances and compete for the top spots in the league.
This article outlines Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 journey, including squad details, key players, ownership, and important team records.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Owners
Kolkata Knight Riders are owned by Knight Riders Sports Private Limited, a joint venture led by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment and the Mehta Group. Shah Rukh Khan holds the majority share. Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta represent the Mehta Group’s stake.
This ownership group has been with KKR since the team started in 2008. They have provided strong brand appeal, passionate support, and a clear vision that has helped the franchise grow and stay competitive in the IPL.
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad For IPL 2026
KKR are set to make the most of their player resources and have strengthened their squad with new additions from the recently concluded IPL mini auction, including the big signings of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana.
Below is the complete squad for KKR:
Batters: Cameron Green, Rahul Tripathi, Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, and Roman Powell
Wicket Keepers: Finn Allen, Tejasvi Dahiya, and Tim Seifert
All-rounders: Rachin Ravindra, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Anukul Roy, Ramandeep Singh, and Sunil Narine
Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman, Akash Deep, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Harshit Rana, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, and Varun Chakaravarthy
Key Players For KKR Ahead of IPL 2026
The following players are expected to play important roles for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. They bring experience, skill, and a knack for winning matches.
These key players can affect crucial moments, offer stability in the lineup, and help the team during tough times. Their contributions will be essential to KKR’s chances of a successful season.
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | Experienced spinner and hard-hitter, provides control in middle overs and explosive starts. |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Mystery spinner who takes crucial wickets and controls the flow in the middle overs. |
| Cameroon Green | All-rounder offering power-hitting, pace bowling, and balance to both batting and bowling units. |
| Anukul Roy | Young all-rounder with spin and handy lower-order batting, adds depth and versatility. |
| Harshit Rana | Young pacer capable of breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure in key moments. |
Kolkata Knight Riders – Records (IPL 2008-2026)
Kolkata Knight Riders have been a well-known team in the IPL since 2008. They are famous for their thrilling cricket and strong performances. Over the years, the franchise has made memorable moments and reached important milestones.
The following records showcase KKR’s main achievements, standout players, and significant contributions to the tournament.
1. IPL Standings Every Year
| IPL Edition | Standings | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8th | League stage |
| 2024 | 1st | Winners |
| 2023 | 7th | League stage |
| 2022 | 7th | League stage |
| 2021 | 4th | Runners-up |
| 2020 | 5th | League stage |
| 2019 | 5th | League stage |
| 2018 | 3rd | Playoffs |
| 2017 | 3rd | Playoffs |
| 2016 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 2015 | 5th | League Stage |
| 2014 | 2nd | Winner |
| 2013 | 7th | League stage |
| 2012 | 2nd | Winner |
| 2011 | 4th | Playoffs |
| 2010 | 6th | League stage |
| 2009 | 8th | League stage |
| 2008 | 6th | League stage |
2. Most Runs For KKR
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gautam Gambhir | 2011-2017 | 122 | 3345 |
| Andre Russell | 2014-2025 | 139 | 2658 |
| Robin Uthappa | 2014-2019 | 91 | 2649 |
| Nitish Rana | 2018-2024 | 90 | 2199 |
| Yusuf Pathan | 2011-2017 | 122 | 2061 |
3. Most Wickets For KKR
| Player | Span | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | 2012-2025 | 198 | 210 |
| Andre Russell | 2014-2025 | 139 | 124 |
| V Chakaravarthy | 2020-2025 | 83 | 99 |
| Piyush Chawla | 2014-2019 | 76 | 71 |
| Umesh Yadav | 2014-2023 | 68 | 65 |
4. Highest Individual Score For KKR
| Player | Score | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendon McCullum | 158* | RCB | 18 April 2008 | Bengaluru |
| Sunil Narine | 109 | RR | 16 April 2004 | Kolkata |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 104 | MI | 16 April 2023 | Mumbai |
| Dinesh Karthik | 97* | RR | 25 April 2019 | Kolkata |
| Quinton de Kock | 97* | RR | 26 March 2025 | Guwahati |
5. Best Bowling Figures For KKR
| Player | BBI | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Russell | 5/15 | MI | 13 April 2021 | Chennai |
| Sunil Narine | 5/19 | KXIP | 15 April 2012 | Kolkata |
| V Chakaravarthy | 5/20 | DC | 24 October 2020 | Abu Dhabi |
| Andre Russell | 4/5 | GT | 23 April 2022 | Mumbai |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 4/11 | DD | 13 May 2008 | Kolkata |
6. Highest Totals
| Total | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 272/7 | DC | 03 April 2024 | Visakhapatnam |
| 261/6 | PBKS | 26 April 2024 | Kolkata |
| 245/6 | PBKS | 12 May 2018 | Indore |
| 235/6 | LSG | 05 May 2024 | Lucknow |
| 234/7 | LSG | 08 April 2025 | Kolkata |
7. Lowest Totals
| Total | Opposition | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | MI | 16 May 2008 | Mumbai |
| 84/8 | RCB | 21 October 2020 | Abu Dhabi |
| 95 | MI | 27 April 2009 | Gqeberha |
| 95 | PBKS | 15 April 2025 | New Chandigarh |
| 101 | DCH | 19 April 2009 | Cape Town |
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Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL Journey Through The Years
Kolkata Knight Riders began their IPL journey in 2008 and quickly attracted attention with their exciting style of play. The team won their first IPL title in 2012, followed by triumphs in 2014 and 2024, showcasing strong teamwork and consistency.
In the IPL years, KKR experienced ups and downs, with some tough seasons. However, they continued developing young talent while relying on experienced players to deliver solid performances, keeping themselves competitive in the league.
Recently, the focus has been on creating a balanced and consistent squad. KKR’s journey reflects growth, resilience, and a commitment to compete at the highest level in the IPL.
