IPL 2026: 5 All-rounders KKR might target in mini-auction

KKR head to the Abu Dhabi mini-auction with a clear hole to fill, which is a genuinely match-altering all-round presence who can swing the game with bat or ball. After a busy retention window and a few high-profile exits, the Knight Riders should prioritise power, bowling utility and overseas flexibility. Players who fit KKR’s aggressive DNA and give captainship tactical options. Here are five all-rounders KKR might realistically target at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

1. Cameron Green

Green is the premium prize on many wish lists. He is a big-hitting top-order batter who bowls genuine seam at pace. He offers KKR a right-handed batter who can open or slot in at No.4 to accelerate, plus seam overs that are useful up front or as rotation when the pacers need a rest. 

Green’s athleticism and improving T20 record make him a two-way match-winner rather than a one-dimensional slogger. He is the sort of player who can replace a big-name overseas slot while adding heavy-ball consistency. He’s being talked about as available in the mini-auction, which places him squarely in the KKR conversation if purse and slot strategy permit.

2. Matthew Short

Short is an underrated template for modern multi-role requirements: a destructive batter who can play high-impact cameos and bowl occasional off-spin when matchups demand. He’s proven in domestic white-ball cricket and drawn interest from franchises for his ability to punish short balls and play through the leg side. 

For KKR, Short offers a cheaper overseas hitting option who doesn’t demand an all-over haul of overs but reliably changes momentum in 8–12 overs, plus the tactical bonus of an extra bowling option late in the innings. Reports link him to the auction pool.

3. Saransh Jain

Jain is the classic IPL under-the-radar pick who solves immediate domestic balance problems. Having turned heads with big wicket hauls in the 2025 domestic season, including a six-wicket performance that emphasised his control and turn, he offers KKR a genuine off-spin wicket-taker who can bat useful lower-order runs. 

For a team that must manage overseas slots carefully, Saransh is attractive. He strengthens the bowling without costing an overseas spot and brings upside at a budget price. Several scouting reports list him as an eye-catcher ahead of the auction.

4. Sikandar Raza

Raza is a battle-tested T20 campaigner whose aggressive middle-order batting and useful off-spin have decided T20 matches across leagues. He brings an instinct for finishing and the ability to bowl full quotas when needed. He is a valuable overseas all-round template for subcontinental conditions. 

Beyond his runs, Raza’s tactical nous and big-match temperament make him a valuable asset in leadership groups and pressure situations. Several outlets list him among the marquee overseas names likely to go under the hammer in Abu Dhabi.

5. Michael Bracewell

Bracewell is a smart, economical pick: left-handed hitting, steady off-spin and top-quality fielding. He gives KKR a flexible balance. He can bat in the middle order to steady an innings or accelerate and bowl four overs of off-spin that stem runs and pick wickets. 

His ability to occupy a role without stealing a spotlight makes him both auction-efficient and selection-friendly. Teams get variety without unbalancing combination rules. Bracewell features on several auction-watch lists.

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