Kolkata Knight Riders have signed New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for Rs 2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auctionsecuring him at his base price after the left-hander initially went unsold in the early rounds.
Rachin had entered the auction following his release by Chennai Super Kingswhere he featured during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Despite his international pedigree and all-round skillset, franchises refrained from bidding for him initially, before KKR moved in later to add depth to their squad.
IPL journey so far
Rachin Ravindra played 18 IPL matches for CSK across two seasons, scoring 413 runs at an average of 24.29 and a strike rate of 143.10including three half-centuries. While his attacking intent was evident, a dip in consistency during the 2025 season saw him lose his place in the playing XI and eventually be released.
KKR’s calculated move
KKR’s decision to pick up Ravindra at base price reflects a low-risk, high-upside signing. The New Zealand all-rounder offers flexibility as a left-handed top-order batter and can also contribute with spin bowling if required, fitting into KKR’s strategy of building depth across departments.
Fresh start in purple and gold
For Rachin Ravindra, the move to KKR presents a fresh opportunity to rediscover form and carve out a defined role. Having gone unsold earlier in the auction, the late call-up underlines how quickly fortunes can change during an IPL auction.
With the tournament approaching, Rachin will be keen to make the most of his second IPL stint and justify KKR’s faith ahead of the 2026 season.
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