The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) should release all-rounders Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer along with Quinton de Kock before the retention deadline of November 15, according to Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning skipper Aaron Finch.
Iyer had a poor IPL 2025 batting season, amassing 142 runs at an average of 20.29 in 11 games. His price tag of Rs 23.75 crore was unjustifiable. Conversely, Russell has been a part of KKR since 2014. Before last year’s huge auction, the three-time champions kept the former West Indies all-rounder for Rs 12 crore. During his 13 IPL 2025 games, he took eight wickets and amassed 167 runs in 10 innings.
In a video posted on X by Star Sports, Finch was asked to list the cricket players that KKR ought to consider releasing before the mini-auction the next month.
The amount of Rs 23.75 crore is excessive for a player who was purchased by KKK as an opening batsman but was later played in the middle. didn’t actually cause him any trouble. In response to a question concerning Iyer, Finch stated, “That’s way too much to pay for a player playing out of position.”
The cricket player-turned-expert stated of Russell, “I will release, but I think you could get a great trade, but we know that they are not going to do that and never release Dre Russ.”
Venkatesh Iyer’s big price tag 💰
Quinton de Kock’s experience 🧠
Andre Russell’s explosiveness 💥With plenty on the line ahead of TATA IPL 2026, Aaron Finch reveals who #KKR should Hold or Fold! 💜
WATCH TATA IPL 2026 Retention Special 👉🏻 SAT, 15th NOV, 5 PM on Star Sports… pic.twitter.com/yU8MeHgKhS
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 10, 2025
Under the direction of Ajinkya Rahane, KKR finished eighth the previous season. The next season of the lucrative league will be their chance to make a big comeback.
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