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The Indian Premier League is no stranger to blockbuster trade buzz, and this time it’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stirring the pot. The franchise is reportedly eyeing star batter and wicketkeeper KL Rahul in a sensational trade move ahead of IPL 2026. But while the ambition is bold, reality paints a far different picture.
Here’s why the dream of seeing Rahul in KKR’s purple and gold may remain just that, a dream.
No Equal Trade Value from KKR
The first major stumbling block? KKR simply doesn’t have a marquee player to match KL Rahul’s value. According to a TOI report, Delhi Capitals, who bought Rahul for Rs 14 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, see little benefit in letting him go. Most of KKR’s top names are either underperforming or don’t align with DC’s squad needs.
"KKR don’t have anybody they can trade to the Delhi Capitals in return," a source told TOI.
Rahul Has No Reason to Exit Delhi
KL Rahul seems firmly embedded in the Capitals’ setup. After captaining Lucknow for three years, his move to Delhi has proven fruitful. With 539 runs and a century in IPL 2025 and consistent form in 2026, Rahul is thriving. Add to that Delhi’s strong leadership and a playoff-worthy squad, and there’s little motivation for him to jump ship especially to a rebuilding KKR.
KKR’s Budget Already Strained by Iyer
In IPL 2025, KKR splashed a massive Rs 23.75 crore on Venkatesh Iyer. Accommodating Rahul’s Rs 14 crore salary would tip their financial balance. A direct Iyer-Rahul trade is also improbable, given Rahul’s superior consistency and leadership edge.
Verdict: Highly Unlikely
While KL Rahul would be a perfect fit to solve KKR’s leadership woes, strategic gaps, financial constraints, and lack of trade bait make this move nearly impossible at least for now.
