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Rachin Ravindra has left his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to prepare for New Zealand’s upcoming red-ball assignment against England, which begins in June.

In a social media post, KKR confirmed that Ravindra has returned home to begin preparations for national duty ahead of the important three-match Test series. His departure comes at a time when the franchise is fighting to stay alive in the playoff race.

Rachin Ravindra signed for INR 2 crore but did not feature

Ravindra was signed by KKR for INR 2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, with the franchise viewing him as a backup overseas all-round option for the season.

He was part of the squad largely as cover in the overseas combination, especially with Cameron Green already cementing his place as the primary all-rounder in the side. KKR also relied heavily on their explsove overseas batting core, which further limited opportunities for the New Zealand all-rounder.

As a result, the left-handed batter did not get a single appearance this season and remained on the bench throughout the campaign.

England Test series takes priority

The three-match Test series between England and New Zealand will begin on June 4, 2026, at Lord's Cricket Ground.

The series is significant for New Zealand as they continue their push for a place in the World Test Championship Final. With the red-ball assignment carrying major importance, Ravindra has opted to leave the IPL before the season concludes to focus on preparation in home conditions before travelling to England.

Ravindra spent the previous two seasons with Chennai Super Kings, where he made a decent impact. Across those campaigns, he scored 413 runs at a strike rate of 143 and showed promise as an attacking top-order batter. Despite being an all-rounder, he is yet to take a wicket in the IPL.

KKR facing a difficult road ahead

Meanwhile, KKR’s season has been affected by inconsistency and injuries, leaving their playoff hopes in serious doubt.

Although they are not officially eliminated from IPL 2026, they are currently eighth on the points table with only nine points and little room for error.

Their next fixture is against Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens.

A defeat in that game would all but end KKR’s playoff campaign. Even a win may not guarantee qualification, leaving the two-time champions dependent on other results in the final stages of the tournament.

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