Former India player Aakash Chopra has suggested that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) should consider releasing Anrich Nortje before the IPL 2026 auction. Chopra pointed out that Nortje has been plagued by frequent injuries and has played minimal cricket in recent years.
KKR had a disappointing campaign in IPL 2025, finishing in eighth place after entering the tournament as the defending champions. Anrich Nortje was one of their marquee signings at the auction, but he only featured in two matches throughout the season.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chopra recommended that KKR should part ways with both Venkatesh Iyer and Anrich Nortje. He emphasized the financial benefits of releasing Iyer, who was bought for a hefty sum of ₹23 crore in the previous auction.
Chopra also expressed his concerns about Anrich Nortje’s fitness issues, stating that the South African bowler has struggled to stay fit and hasn’t been able to showcase his talent on a consistent basis due to injuries.
Venkatesh Iyer had a below-par season in IPL 2025, scoring just 142 runs at an average of 20.29 in seven innings. On the other hand, Anrich Nortje managed to pick up only one wicket in the two games he played, with an economy rate of 11.85.
Furthermore, Chopra suggested that Spencer Johnson could be another player on KKR’s release list. Johnson, who was brought in as a replacement for Mitchell Starc, failed to make a significant impact during his limited opportunities in IPL 2025.
The former cricketer also raised questions about Ajinkya Rahane’s retention by KKR, highlighting the dilemma of having a talented player like Rahane but struggling to find a spot for him in the playing XI.
Additionally, Chopra proposed the release of Umran Malik, who was signed for a nominal fee of ₹75 lakh but didn’t get a chance to feature in any matches during IPL 2025.
In conclusion, Chopra emphasized the importance of making strategic decisions during the auction to build a competitive team for the upcoming season. KKR will need to carefully assess their squad and consider releasing players like Nortje, Iyer, Johnson, and Malik to create room for new acquisitions and strengthen their lineup for IPL 2026.
