Kolkata Knight Riders “took the wrong decision” by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt leave after their title-winning campaign in 2024, and unless the three-time IPL champions understand the importance of retaining key players, they cannot be considered serious title contenders, cautioned the legendary Anil Kumble.

Iyer exited KKR to join Punjab Kings, whom he led to their first appearance in the IPL final in nearly a decade in the last edition, while Phil Salt — another vital cog in KKR’s success in 2024 — moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he played an impactful role in the franchise’s maiden title win last year.

“Two years ago, KKR won the IPL and lifted their third trophy. Two important cogs in that wheel were Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt. Both played crucial roles in helping them win but KKR let both of them go,” Kumble noted in a JioHotstar release.

“There is no consistency from them in terms of player retention. KKR took the wrong decision by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt leave (and) that has left them without an IPL-winning captain.”

Kumble noted that even though KKR have an experienced campaigner in Ajinkya Rahane as their skipper, he has not yet won the IPL as a captain.

“Yes, Ajinkya Rahane is an experienced campaigner. He has led Mumbai in domestic cricket and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. But he has not lifted the IPL title as (a) captain (yet),” Kumble said.

“Having a skipper who has won the trophy gives you an advantage. KKR let go of that advantage. They need to learn how to keep hold of their key players. Otherwise, they will keep struggling and cannot be considered favourites to win the trophy,” the legendary spinner added.

Kumble Praises Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership

The former India captain heaped praise on Iyer’s leadership qualities for guiding Punjab Kings into the IPL final last year.

“Shreyas Iyer is certainly an underrated skipper. It is not easy to win a trophy with one franchise and then go to another. There is a different management, atmosphere and a team. The pressure is also different,” he noted.

“…the new franchise he joined had not played in the final in the last 10 years and in just his first season with the Punjab Kings, he took them to the final. I was not just impressed by his captaincy, but (also with) the way he led the team from the front.”

“There are some players who have to prove themselves every time. Shreyas is like that. Even after performing, questions still come up. I think he is underrated, but is an exceptional leader.”

Pakistan batsman Salman Ali Agha stormed off the pitch after a highly-controversial run out in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday.

Agha was run out in bizarre fashion by Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 39th over of the Pakistan innings.

Mohammad Rizwan had hit the ball straight back as the bowler Miraz in his bid to stop the ball to his right collided with Agha, who was backing up at the non-striker’s end.

After the two players got into a tangle, Agha, who was standing out of his crease, tried to lift the ball up and hand it over to Miraz. But the Bangladesh skipper quickly pounced on the ball and fired an underarm throw at the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

Agha was left in disbelief as Bangladesh’s players appealed for the run out, which was referred to TV umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who ruled it out.

Having stroked a fluent 64 from 62 balls, Agha walked off the ground in anger and threw away his helmet and gloves before crossing the boundary line.

Kolkata Knight Riders have signed Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026, which is scheduled to start on March 28.

Rahman, who was bought at the IPL auction for Rs 9.20 crore, was released by KKR after being instructed to do so by BCCI amid heightening diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.

Muzarabani, 29, impressed with the ball during the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, picking up 13 wickets in six games at an economy rate of 7.88 to finish as the joint second highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

He has pulled out of his contract with Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League to join two-time IPL champions KKR.

‘The 6 ft 8” right-arm quick has emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s leading pace bowlers in the shortest format, known for his steep bounce and ability to strike in key phases of the innings. Muzarabani brings significant T20 experience, having claimed over 90 wickets in more than 80 T20 Internationals at an average of around 21, with best figures of 3/8,’ said KKR in a media release.

‘His pace and consistency across global leagues and international cricket add further depth to KKR’s pace attack heading into the season.’

Muzarabani will arrive in Kolkata on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.