Kolkata Knight Riders entered this IPL season with one of the most balanced squads on paper, but inconsistency and repeated setbacks have pushed the defending champions to the edge of elimination. The equation is now simple for KKR — lose one more match and their playoff hopes will officially end. Amid such pressure, the franchise has now suffered another setback as New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra has left the camp to join national duty.
Rachin leaves the KKR camp without playing a single match
KKR had picked Rachin Ravindra in the IPL mini auction for his base price of Rs 2 crore, expecting the Kiwi all-rounder to add depth and flexibility to the squad. However, despite remaining with the team throughout the campaign, he did not get a single opportunity in the playing XI. Instead, the management continued to back overseas options like Finn Allen and Tim Seifert even while the team struggled for consistency.
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Rachin Ravindra has returned to New Zealand after leaving the KKR Squad to begin preparations for the upcoming Test tour of England pic.twitter.com/bOrxYdP41N
— KKR Karavan (@KkrKaravan) May 15, 2026
The decision not to use Rachin became a major talking point among supporters and cricket experts. Many believed the left-hander could have strengthened the batting unit either at the top of the order or in the middle order during KKR’s poor run. But the franchise management kept him on the bench throughout the season.
National duty calls as New Zealand prepare for Tests
Rachin has now returned home after being selected in New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Ireland, scheduled from May 27 to 30. Following that assignment, New Zealand will also host England in a three-match Test series in June, and the young batter remains part of the plans for that crucial red-ball campaign.\
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Had Rachin been a regular member of KKR’s playing XI, the franchise might have attempted to retain him for the remainder of the IPL. But with no opportunities coming his way, the Kiwi star decided to prioritise international commitments and leave the tournament midway.
