Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, the three-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders made one of the most surprising pre-auction moves by letting go of long-time match winner Andre Russell. Fans are shocked by the move, not only because Russell has been with KKR for more than ten years, but also because CEO Venky Mysore promised in a now-viral 2020 statement that the West Indian will stay a Knight Rider until he departs from the game and beyond. That commitment was breached, though, when the franchise allowed him to leave before the mini-auction.
After joining KKR in 2014, Russell swiftly rose to prominence as the team’s face thanks to his game-changing skills, bowling spells, and power hitting. With more than 2,500 runs, more than 120 wickets, 16 Player-of-the-Match honours, and numerous record-breaking achievements during his stay, he was instrumental in KKR’s championship victories in 2014 and 2024.
When Russell stated in a 2020 KKR video on X that he wanted to play for the team till his retirement, Mysore responded,
“Until you leave the game and beyond, you will undoubtedly continue to be a Knight Rider! #Superman.
@Russell12A no doubt you will remain a Knight Rider until you retire from the game & beyond! #Superman https://t.co/RydHeqKzo8
— Venky Mysore (@VenkyMysore) May 3, 2020
KKR will have the largest budget before the mini-auction.
Russell has been released by the franchise, along with Spencer Johnson, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Moeen Ali, and Anrich Nortje. With INR 64.3 crore in purse money freed up by the clear-out, KKR has the largest budget going into the mini auction.
A combination of age, physical issues, and financial constraints led to Russell’s release. Last season, the 37-year-old, who retired from international cricket, was kept for INR 12 crore. Reports state that KKR even looked into deals prior to the deadline, but no team was prepared to accept him at his asking price.
Another factor was the new squad structure for KKR. Finishers like Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Rovman Powell are already abundant on the team. Their 2026 focus will be on all-round depth and wicketkeeping, two positions where Russell’s role might no longer be appropriate. KKR still has the financial capacity to repurchase Russell at a reduced cost if they so desire, even after the release.
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