“They have some of the best T20 bowlers in the world” - S Badrinath’s massive praise for former IPL champions after 2026 auction

Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath praised three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for assembling an incredible bowling unit through the IPL 2026 auction. Already boasting two of the best T20 spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, KKR bolstered their pace department with the signings of Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman.

After a dominant title run in 2024, KKR had a poor 2025 season, finishing eighth with only five wins in 14 outings. They released nine players before the auction and entered the event with a league-high ₹64.30 crore.

Talking about KKR's squad after the auction on Star Sports, Badrinath said (10:43):

"They've done really well at the auction. And Pathirana was at his best with Bravo in CSK. That might make a difference. The biggest positive for them is that they are the best bowling attack among the ten teams. They've some of the best T20 bowlers in the world."

Badrinath questioned only their move to go for Mustafizur once they acquired Pathirana, wondering if they could have gone after an Indian batter instead.

"Maybe once they picked up Pathirana, they could have let go of Mustafizur and picked a batter instead, especially without Andre Russell. They could have gone for Sarfaraz Khan or some young Indian batter. Apart from that, definitely a great side, especially the bowling," he stated.

KKR made the biggest buy of the IPL 2026 auction, signing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for ₹25.20 crore.

"They do have a slight issue in their middle order" - S Badrinath on KKR's playing 11

Subramaniam Badrinath believes KKR boasts an excellent top-order with the acquisitions of Cameron Green and Tim Seifert. However, the former batter raised questions about KKR's middle order and wondered if the franchise invested too heavily in the bowling department.

"Their top order is also very strong with Cameron Green, Tim Seifert and Ajinkya Rahane. But they do have a slight issue in their middle order. They invested a bit too much in their bowling with almost 45-50 crore. Because of that, there is still a gap in the middle order. Rinku Singh will come as the finisher. But after Raghuvanshi, there is a slight concern in the middle order," said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).

KKR released two key middle-order cogs from last season, Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell, following the duo's woeful campaign with the bat.