As the excitement for IPL 2026 mounts and teams begin to revamp their squads, Ishan Kishan’s future has become a hot topic among fans and analysts. After a below-par 2025 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), there’s strong speculation he may be up for grabs in the next auction. Here’s a look at why SRH might let him go and which franchises could swoop in.
Why SRH Might Release Ishan Kishan
- Underwhelming 2025 Form: Despite being purchased for a hefty INR 11.25 crore, Kishan couldn’t meet expectations. Although he started the season with a century, his performance tailed off, and he went through a string of low scores despite playing all 14 matches.
- Expensive Price Tag: Letting go of Kishan would free up significant funds (₹11.25 crore) for SRH to rework their strategy and bid for fresh talent in the next mini-auction.
Teams That Could Target Ishan Kishan
1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- The Need: KKR’s 2025 campaign flopped after they replaced keeper Phil Salt with Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz; both struggled with the bat, leaving the opening slot vulnerable.
- Why Kishan: He offers left-handed flair and aggression, attributes KKR lacked last season. His high strike rate (152 in 2025) can bring back the firepower at the top which KKR missed.
- Strategic Move: KKR can release both current keeper-batter options and bank on Kishan to revive their aggressive brand.
2. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- The Need: If widely reported trade talks see captain Sanju Samson leave for Chennai Super Kings, RR will require a new first-choice wicketkeeper and dynamic opener.
- Why Kishan: He fits as a like-for-like replacement—an aggressive, left-handed keeper-batter who enjoys opening. Pairing him with Vaibhav Suryavanshi could form a destructive opening duo.
- Strategic Move: Kishan’s arrival could help RR maintain their attacking approach, especially if they lose a star like Samson.
3. Delhi Capitals (DC)
- The Need: A revolving door of opening pairs in 2025 left DC lacking consistency, as none of their combinations fired and their main opener struggled for runs.
- Why Kishan: Known for explosive starts, Kishan could thrive at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which favours power-hitters. DC are seeking stability at the top, and Kishan’s experience could provide it.
- Strategic Move: Moving on from underperforming players and backing Kishan as the opener could help DC set a strong platform in the powerplay.
At a Glance: Potential Suitors
| Team | Main Needs | Why Ishan Kishan? |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Reliable, aggressive opener | Aggressive left-handed batting, high strike rate |
| Rajasthan Royals | Wicketkeeper-opener | Experience, aggression, opens with left-hander |
| Delhi Capitals | Consistent power-hitter | Quick-start ability, stabilizes top order |
What’s Next?
If SRH decide to release Ishan Kishan, he is expected to be one of the most coveted players in the 2026 auction. Given his talent and ability to change games single-handedly, multiple franchises in need of a keeper-batter and explosive opener will likely enter a bidding war for him.
