KKR bank on Rinku, Ramandeep to fill Russell void, says Nayar
KKR bank on Rinku, Ramandeep to fill Russell void, says Nayar
KKR aims to replace Andre Russell with Indian talents Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh as the team plots a new finishing blueprint for IPL 2026, says head coach Abhishek Nayar.
Andre Russell's IPL journey with Kolkata Knight Riders comes to a close as he goes unsold in the 2026 mini-auction, effectively ending a 12-season stint with the franchise. Russell's retirement ahead of the auction marks the end of an era, and the team will look to rebuild its lower-order finishes around fresh faces in a season loaded with opportunity.
At a pre-season press conference in Kolkata, head coach Abhishek Nayar spoke alongside key figures including Shane Watson, captain Ajinkya Rahane, and mentor Dwayne Bravo. He acknowledged how hard it will be to replicate Russell's impact but stressed the value of trusting the club's young core to rise to the moment.
Nayar singled out Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh as players capable of stepping up in Russell's absence. He pointed to their past performances for India and the franchise—Rinku's leadership on the national stage and Ramandeep's contribution to the title-winning season—as evidence they can carry forward a new finishing approach for the side.
There is a sense of a season of opportunity, with several young cricketers in the setup ready to cement their names in the franchise's legacy. While there is inevitable pressure in the IPL, the coach believes staying true to these players' potential could help KKR establish a fresh, competitive identity this year.
For now, the focus is on building a robust pipeline of finishers who can deliver under pressure, and Nayar is hopeful that Rinku and Ramandeep can deliver the consistency the team needs to contend once again at IPL 2026.
