Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shared his two cents on Kolkata Knight Riders’ potential trade with Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2027 auction. Chopra said KKR could look to rope in KL Rahul from Delhi Capitals and the wicket-keeper could solve all of their problems.
Rahul can also lead KKR in the next season after Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement. The flamboyant batter can open the innings and also keep the wickets.
Rahul scored 593 runs in 14 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 45.62 and a strike rate of 174.41.
“Who is that captain they can get? I am talking about wishlist. I am not talking about possibilities. Can it be KL Rahul? They get an opener, a keeper, and a captain. One guy solves all their problems, and he is Indian,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra highlighted that KKR have overseas openers and a interim wicket-keeper in Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
“They have overseas openers and keepers. They have Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. They have also got Angkrish Raghuvanshi to keep, but they do need a keeper-batter, opener, and captain. KL Rahul can fit all the bills,” he observed.
On the other hand, former Delhi cricketer reckons DC will need a bowler in exchange of KL Rahul.
“Who will they give in exchange? What does Delhi need? I feel Delhi will let T Natarajan and Auqib Nabi go, and they have already released Kuldeep Yadav. So they need a spinner. They need a bowler. Rishabh Pant has come. So they don’t have too many top-order problems,” he said.
The renwoend commentator reckons KKR can either offer Varun Chakravarthy with Vaibhav Arora or Harshit Rana with Anukul Roy to DC.
“So can they do an exchange with Varun Chakaravarthy? If you (DC) aren’t satisfied with Varun alone, we (KKR) can give Vaibhav Arora with him, or you can keep Harshit Rana and take Anukul Roy with him. These are the kind of things that they can do,” Chopra observed.
KKR could not qualify for the playoffs in the previous season and would look to deliver as a unit in IPL 2027.
