Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have reportedly released Andre Russell ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction, which is likely to take place in December. The three-time IPL champions have not retained Russell despite being a member of the Knight Riders franchise in different leagues.
Russell, who is known for his six-hitting ability, has been one of the match-winners in the tournament. This Jamaican all-rounder is capable of changing the course of a match with his power-hitting or his bowling. He has been a part of the Knight Riders since 2014 and was retained for ₹12 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders release Andre Russell ahead of IPL 2026 auction
According to a report from ESPNcricinfo’s Nagaraj Gollapudi, Kolkata Knight Riders are ready to take a bold decision that may surprise many fans. Andre Russell is expected to feature in the IPL 2026 auction.
Russell’s performance in IPL 2025 was far from his best. He scored only 167 runs in 10 innings at an average of 18.6 and a strike rate of 163.70, which included just one half-century. He also struggled with the ball and took 8 wickets at an economy rate of 11.94.
His decline in form is not limited to IPL. Their performance in other T20 leagues in 2025 has also been disappointing. With the franchise keen to build for the future, Kolkata could be ready to move on from one of its longest-serving stars.
Kolkata Knight Riders had a disappointing performance in the IPL 2025 season.
Kolkata Knight Riders had a disappointing IPL 2025 season. They failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished eighth with only 12 points from 14 matches. The team managed only five wins and the campaign never gained momentum.
Ajinkya Rahane, who took over the captaincy, has struggled to replicate the impact brought by Shreyas Iyer during KKR’s title run in 2024, leaving the team looking for stability and direction.
After such a disappointing season, Kolkata has now turned its focus to rebuilding. The franchise will aim to make better auction decisions and bring those improvements on the field. The exact schedule and venue of the auction is still to be confirmed.
KKR has several possible options to replace Andre Russell
KKR have several potential options to replace Andre Russell, including Jason Holder, who has represented the franchise before. Holder has stepped up both his lower-order batting and death overs bowling. He could have been acquired for a much lower price than Russell’s huge retention fee.
The upcoming auction is a mini-auction, and the pool of elite all-rounders will be limited. Despite a recent decline in form and advancing age, Russell remains one of the world’s most effective players in his role, and his skill set is extremely difficult to replicate.
KKR may also target Cameron Green, but there is no certainty that they will secure him. The most likely scenario is that KKR can buy back Russell from the auction. However, his price could exceed ₹12 crore, or another team could outbid him altogether.
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