Cheteshwar Pujara predicts major shake-up at KKR, MI changes and easy ride for RCB ahead of IPL 2027 auction

Cheteshwar Pujara predicts major shake-up at KKR, MI changes and easy ride for RCB ahead of IPL 2027 auction

Cheteshwar Pujara Predicts Major IPL 2027 Changes at KKR and Mumbai Indians

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has identified Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as franchises to watch ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. In a rapid-fire segment with Star Sports, Pujara shared his prediction on which teams could release the most players, reconsider their captaincy plans or approach the auction with the least pressure.

His answers point to contrasting situations across the league. KKR may face a broad squad reshuffle and a leadership vacancy, while Mumbai could confront difficult decisions about its established core. RCB, by comparison, may have fewer urgent gaps to address after building a balanced side.

KKR Could Face the Biggest Squad Overhaul

Asked which franchise might release the highest number of players, Pujara quickly named KKR. Although he did not identify specific players, his response suggests he expects the three-time champions to review their squad closely before the next season.

Player releases are a normal part of IPL planning, but they can carry extra significance when a team is also reassessing its leadership. KKR’s decisions will need to balance immediate performance needs with the longer-term development of its squad. The franchise may have to weigh the value of retaining experienced players against the opportunity to use the auction to bring in fresh options.

Captaincy is another key question for Kolkata

Pujara also picked KKR when asked which team could be looking for a new captain. He said, “I think again KKR, because they don’t have a captain.” Ajinkya Rahane, who led the team last season, has retired from cricket, leaving the franchise with a significant leadership decision ahead of IPL 2027.

Choosing a captain involves more than naming the most prominent player in the squad. KKR will need to consider a candidate’s experience, communication skills and ability to manage pressure across a long tournament. The decision could influence the team’s auction strategy, too: a franchise seeking a new leader may target players who can contribute both on the field and in the dressing room.

Mumbai Indians’ Core Squad Could Be Under Review

Mumbai Indians may also be heading into a consequential period, according to Pujara. He named MI as the team most likely to make changes to its core group and also selected the five-time champions as a possible source of a surprise release.

“MI, because there are a lot of rumors around the squad. So, potentially, it could be MI,” Pujara said, explaining his view. His comments reflect the attention surrounding the franchise, but they do not confirm that any particular player will be released. Rumours and official retention decisions are not the same, and Mumbai’s plans will become clearer only when the club announces its approach.

Hardik Pandya speculation adds to the uncertainty

Discussion around Mumbai has included speculation about captain Hardik Pandya and his future with the franchise. Any change involving a leading player or the captaincy would be a major development, given MI’s status as one of the IPL’s most successful teams and the importance of continuity in its established group.

For Mumbai, the challenge will be deciding whether its current combination still offers the right balance or whether adjustments are needed to strengthen particular areas. A core-squad change can create room for new talent, but it also risks disrupting partnerships and roles that have been built over time. That is why MI’s retention choices could become one of the most closely followed storylines before the auction.

RCB Could Enter the Auction in a Comfortable Position

While Pujara expects significant decisions at KKR and Mumbai, he believes RCB could approach the auction with less pressure. Asked which team would be in the most comfortable position, he pointed to the defending champions, saying they have a balanced squad and do not need to search urgently for players.

A settled squad can give a franchise greater flexibility. Rather than chasing several immediate fixes, RCB may be able to focus on targeted additions, strengthen its reserves or plan for future seasons. That does not mean the team will avoid changes altogether; even successful sides use the auction to address depth, account for player availability and prepare for the demands of a long campaign.

Pujara’s assessment is based on the squad’s apparent balance and recent success. If RCB can retain the key elements of its winning combination, it may have the freedom to make selective moves instead of rebuilding large parts of the team.

Mumbai’s Captaincy Call Could Define IPL 2027

Of all the decisions discussed, Pujara singled out Mumbai’s captaincy as one that could shape the season. “I think it will be interesting to see who leads the Mumbai Indians. And that decision can define IPL 2027,” he said.

Captaincy can affect a team’s strategy, on-field decision-making and overall stability. At MI, the question is especially prominent because of the attention on Hardik Pandya and the franchise’s broader squad plans. Whether Mumbai maintains its current leadership structure or makes a change, the choice could influence how the team approaches the auction and how it builds its campaign.

What Pujara’s Predictions Mean for the Auction

Pujara’s rapid-fire answers offer an early snapshot of the questions likely to dominate IPL 2027 discussions: how much KKR will reshape its squad, whether Mumbai will make changes to its core and which players will lead the franchise. RCB, meanwhile, could have the luxury of entering the auction with fewer urgent needs.

These remain predictions, not confirmed team decisions. Franchises must assess player form, squad balance, budgets and future plans before finalising their retention lists. Still, Pujara’s comments highlight the different pressures facing three high-profile teams—and explain why their choices could become major talking points as the IPL 2027 auction approaches.

Latest News