Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is reportedly keen to acquire veteran India wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul via a trade deal ahead of the 19th edition of the cash-rich league.
TOI reported that the Kolkata-based franchise is looking to acquire KL Rahul. Rahul played for Delhi Capitals in the previous season. According to a source, KKR are interested in acquiring the India opener’s services and have sent him feelers regarding this.
However, the report further stated that the deal is unlikely to work out as KKR don't have anybody they can trade to the Delhi Capitals in return,” the source said.
Why KKR wants KL Rahul
The main reason why the Kolkata-based franchise may be interested in getting Rahul because of the presence of their assistant coach, former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar.
During his time with the Indian team as assistant coach, Rahul enjoyed an excellent equation with Nayar, and his white-ball resurgence can be attributed to the time he spent practising and fine-tuning his game with Nayar. KL Rahul also admitted that Nayar worked hard for his white-ball game before the IPL 2025.
"I've worked really hard on my white-ball game the last year or so. Big shoutout to Abhishek Nayar. I've worked a lot with him ever since he's come into the Indian team. We've spent hours and hours together talking about my white-ball game and how I can be better. We worked hours and hours together in Bombay, and somewhere I have found the fun playing white-ball cricket," Rahul had said during the IPL
KKR's performance in IPL 2025
Kolkata Knight Riders, who entered the IPL 2025 as defending champions, failed to perform in the last edition of the tournament after some bad calls, including letting go of their 2024 IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and roping in Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore, which cost them heavily. Ajinkya Rahane led the franchise.