Going unsold is brutal for any established international cricketer honestly. Rachin Ravindra sat through that awkward silence when nobody bid initially. Then one smart franchise stepped in and grabbed him at the base price!
The New Zealand all-rounder had scored 400+ runs across two IPL seasons. CSK released him despite that solid record, which surprised many people. Now he gets a fresh start wearing completely different colours this year.
His IPL Team for 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders grabbed Rachin Ravindra from the unsold pool cleverly. The IPL Team called it a steal deal and honestly it really was. Multiple franchises must be kicking themselves for not bidding earlier.
CSK originally paid ₹1.8 Crore, then used Right-to-Match at ₹4 Crore. New IPL team gets that same player for just ₹2 Crore now. He brings top-order batting and backup spin in one package.
He could cover Sunil Narine during injuries if needed too. The franchise loves having multi-skilled players who fill multiple roles simultaneously. Rachin Ravindra adapts brilliantly, whether facing pace or spin bowling.
His IPL Price Details
His IPL Price for 2026 sits at just ₹2 Crore currently. That’s genuinely bargain territory for someone with his proven track record. Going unsold first kept his cost at the minimum base level.
The amount makes him one of the smartest acquisitions in this auction. His 65* highest score and 400+ IPL runs justify much higher investment honestly. This shows how unpredictable auction dynamics can be sometimes.
Compare his amount to what CSK paid previously – ₹4 Crore. Rachin Ravindra’s current IPL salary is literally half that previous valuation. The money will surely increase dramatically in future auctions after this.
Career Journey and Playing Style
Rachin Ravindra debuted for CSK in 2024 scoring 222 runs across 10 matches. CSK valued him enough to use the Right-to-Match card paying ₹4 Crore! But they released him before this season despite those contributions.
His 18 IPL matches produced 400+ runs with the highest score of 65 not out. He adapts his batting to powerplay, middle overs, and different bowling types. His left-arm orthodox spin remains a part-time option when teams need it.
New Zealand trusts him as a batting mainstay across all formats regularly. He enters the 19th season with a serious point to prove after being unsold. Expect him to bat aggressively at the top while covering spin duties occasionally.
