KKR release star all-rounder ahead of IPL 2026 Auction

Kolkata Knight Riders have triggered one of the biggest shocks ahead of the IPL 2026 auction by releasing their star all-rounder, bringing an end to a decade-long association that shaped some of the franchise’s biggest moments. The Jamaican powerhouse, who was retained for ₹12 crore last season, was not included in KKR’s 2026 list of retained players.

He wasn’t the only big name to be let go. Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Moeen Ali and Anrich Nortje were also released as part of a sweeping overhaul. The decision marks a bold strategic reset for the franchise, one that reflects a new direction after years of building the squad around their marquee players.

Russell joined KKR in 2014 and quickly grew into one of the most influential overseas players in the league, playing a key role in their title-winning campaign and countless late-overs turnarounds. Back in 2020, CEO Venky Mysore had famously said that Russell would remain with the Knight Riders until he retired from T20 cricket. But after 10 seasons, KKR have decided to move forward with a fresh blueprint.

Among the other notable departures are Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Spencer Johnson, signalling a complete reset of the team’s overseas composition. These releases give KKR a huge advantage heading into the IPL 2026 auction, leaving them with a hefty ₹64.3 crore purse, the largest among all franchises this season. With such a sizeable budget, they also have the option to buy back Russell at the auction should they choose to.

Russell’s Decade of Dominance

Few players have made an impact in purple and gold the way Russell did. In over 133 matches for the franchise, he scored 2,593 runs at an average of 28.81 and an extraordinary strike rate of 174.97. His ability to change games within a handful of balls became his trademark.

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In the 2024 season, he blasted a 20-ball fifty against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, a reminder of his unmatched power. His 2019 campaign remains one of the most destructive in IPL history, with 510 runs, 52 sixes and 11 wickets.

With the ball, Russell picked up over 123 wickets for KKR at an average of 23.3. His best figures, 5 for 15 against Mumbai Indians in 2021, showcased his value as a true all-rounder. In IPL 2024, he became the fastest to reach 200 sixes in tournament history, achieving the feat in just 1,322 deliveries, surpassing Chris Gayle.

Massive Budget, New Direction

KKR’s release list is the largest among all teams this season, and the decision to part ways with Venkatesh Iyer, who was picked for ₹23.75 crore, shows the franchise’s intent to reshape its core. With 13 slots remaining, including six overseas positions, the franchise now has the freedom to rebuild aggressively.

KKR Squad Details (Comma-Separated)

Released:
Andre Russell (₹12 crore), Venkatesh Iyer (₹23.75 crore), Quinton de Kock (₹3.6 crore), Moeen Ali (₹2 crore), Anrich Nortje (₹6.5 crore), Spencer Johnson (₹2.80 crore), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (₹2 crore)

Retained:
Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy

Purse Remaining: ₹64.3 crore
Slots Remaining: 13

Slots Left: 13 (including 6 overseas)