1. Openers
Candidates
Analysis
Sunil Narine transformed into a devastating opener for KKR. His 170.83 strike rate in 2025 and career 175.84 opening strike rate (#5 from opening-strikeRate-2025 leaderboard) makes him the perfect "disruptive opener." In 2025, he scored 246 runs at 22.36 average - the average matters less than the destruction he causes in powerplays.
| Narine's Best Opponents (Batting) | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| vs RCB | 333 | 30.27 | 180.98 |
| vs RR | 268 | 20.62 | 163.41 |
| vs PBKS | 260 | 23.64 | 180.56 |
| vs LSG | 161 | 32.20 | 203.80 |
Strength Against LSG, Narine averages 32.20 at 203.80 strike rate - elite numbers that justify his opening role.
Ajinkya Rahane provides the anchor. His 5,032 career runs rank #5 all-time (
run scorers), with 3,685 opening runs (#3), 24 fifties (#4), and 2 centuries (#5). His 2025 form was excellent: 390 runs at 35.45 average and improved 147.73 strike rate.
| Rahane's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs DC | 884 | 55.25 | Career-best |
| vs RCB | 801 | 36.41 | Strong |
| vs MI | 723 | 30.13 | Consistent |
Recommendation
Primary: Sunil Narine + Ajinkya Rahane - proven combination
Backup: Finn Allen (explosive NZ opener) or Rahul Tripathi (162.50 SR at Eden)
Tactical note: Narine should be used as Impact Player when not opening, allowing Finn Allen to take his spot as explosive opener while Narine still bowls 4 overs.
2. Top Order (No. 3-4)
Candidates
Analysis
Cameron Green is the great unknown. At ₹25.2 Cr, KKR is betting on his international pedigree translating to IPL success. Green offers rare dual value: "He is likely to bat in the top three, offering the team a stable yet explosive player who can transition into a destroyer... He also offers four overs of high-release seam bowling."
Warning Green has 0 IPL matches. This is the highest-risk investment in IPL 2026 - if he fails to adapt, KKR's entire strategy collapses.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi had a breakout 2025: 300 runs at 33.33 average and 139.53 strike rate. His consistency coefficient of 0.61 ranks #2 in IPL (
batting consistency champions) - meaning he delivers reliable scores game after game.
| Raghuvanshi's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs DC | 98 | 49.00 | Strong |
| vs RR | 96 | 48.00 | Strong |
| vs SRH | 64 | 32.00 | Solid |
Recommendation
Primary No. 3: Cameron Green - ₹25.2 Cr investment demands starting role
Primary No. 4: Angkrish Raghuvanshi - #2 consistency in IPL
Backup: Manish Pandey (3,942 career runs) for experience
3. Middle Order (No. 5-7)
Candidates
Analysis
Rinku Singh is the heartbeat of KKR's middle order. His 64.00 lower-order average in 2025 ranks #2 (
lower order average), and his 153.73 strike rate was his best yet. At home (Eden Gardens), Rinku averages 38.57 at 157.43 strike rate.
| Rinku's Best Opponents | Runs | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs RR | 100 | 100.00 | Unstoppable |
| vs LSG | 167 | 55.67 | Dominant |
| vs SRH | 203 | 40.60 | Strong |
Strength Rinku's 100.00 average against RR (100 runs, 1 dismissal in 7 matches) is extraordinary. He must play every RR fixture.
Rovman Powell fills the Andre Russell void. His 146.59 career strike rate provides finishing power, though his 2025 was poor (5 runs in 2 matches). As noted: "With Andre Russell gone, the 'finisher' void is gaping. A middle order of Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Rovman Powell ensures that KKR maintains that fearsome lower-order firepower."
Recommendation
No. 5: Rinku Singh - #2 lower-order average, 540 runs at home
No. 6: Rovman Powell - finisher, Russell replacement
No. 7: Ramandeep Singh - #1 bowling average (10.50), explosive SR 158.39
Impact Option: Tim Seifert when keeping is needed
4. Powerplay Bowling (Overs 1-6)
Candidates
Analysis
Sunil Narine in the powerplay is lethal. His 6.80 career economy is #1 in IPL history (
economy), and his 7.80 economy in 2025 ranked #5 (
economical bowlers). His ability to open AND bowl in the powerplay makes him uniquely valuable.
| Narine's Best Opponents (Bowling) | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|
| vs PBKS | 36 | 20.28 | 7.02 |
| vs RCB | 27 | 20.81 | 6.69 |
| vs DC | 27 | 22.96 | 6.81 |
| vs CSK | 26 | 20.73 | 6.32 |
Strength Narine has 116 wickets against these four opponents alone at 6.71 average economy. He's the ultimate big-game performer.
Harshit Rana provides pace support with 15 wickets in 2025. His career strike rate of 16.23 is excellent for a young pacer.
Recommendation
Primary: Sunil Narine (overs 1-2) + Harshit Rana (overs 3-4)
Rotation: Mustafizur Rahman for left-arm variety; Vaibhav Arora for wicket-taking
Backup: Akash Deep (needs better economy)
5. Middle Overs Bowling (Overs 7-15)
Candidates
Analysis
Varun Chakravarthy reached 100 career wickets with his unique bowling action. His 7.58 career economy ranks #3 in KKR squad (
team economy career kkr), and his pressure index of 0.77 ranks #4 career and #5 in 2025 (
pressure bowlers).
| Varun's Best Opponents | Wickets | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs DC | 19 | 15.84 | Elite |
| vs RCB | 15 | 19.93 | Strong |
| vs SRH | 14 | 29.71 | Decent |
| vs RR | 13 | 18.00 | Excellent |
Strength Varun's 55.0% wicket rate against middle-order batters ranks #2 in IPL (
highest percentage vs middle order). Deploy him specifically in overs 10-14 when opposition middle order is at the crease.
Rachin Ravindra is a hidden gem - his 3.50 career economy ranks #1 in IPL (
economy), though from limited overs.
Recommendation
Primary: Varun Chakravarthy (overs 8-11) + Sunil Narine (overs 12-14)
Rotation: Rachin Ravindra for left-arm spin variety
Backup: Anukul Roy (6.75 economy in 2025, #4)
6. Death Overs Bowling (Overs 16-20)
Candidates
Analysis
Matheesha Pathirana is the crown jewel acquisition. "Baby Malinga's" sling-arm action and yorker expertise make him the perfect death-overs specialist. His 47 career wickets at 21.62 average rank him among elite death bowlers, and his 59.6% wicket rate against middle-order batters is #1 in IPL (
highest percentage vs middle order).
| Pathirana's Best Opponents | Wickets | Average | Assessment |
|---|
| vs DC | 9 | 13.44 | Elite |
| vs GT | 8 | 20.38 | Strong |
| vs MI | 7 | 11.00 | Dominant |
| vs LSG | 7 | 18.71 | Strong |
Strength Pathirana's 7 wickets at 11.00 average against MI is exceptional - deploy him specifically in MI matches.
Concern Pathirana's 2025 form was concerning: 13 wickets at 32.62 average and 10.14 economy. He needs to recapture his CSK form.
Recommendation
Primary: Matheesha Pathirana (overs 18-20) + Harshit Rana (over 17)
Rotation: Umran Malik for raw pace; Mustafizur for left-arm cutters
Backup: Vaibhav Arora for wicket-taking