One of the biggest surprises in the retention window of IPL 2026 is Kolkata Knight Riders releasing their long-time match-winner Andre Russell. The decision brings an end to a 12-year-long association that began in 2014 and shaped many of KKR's most memorable victories.
A break from an old promise
As per a report by ESPN India, Russell's release is particularly striking, given the assurance made in 2020 by KKR CEO Venky Mysore, who had publicly stated that the Jamaican all-rounder would stay with the franchise until he retired from T20 cricket. But with the team entering a new phase and Russell recently retiring from international duties, KKR have opted for a roster overhaul ahead of the 2026 auction.
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The franchise now has a handsome ₹64.3 crore purse, the highest amongst all teams, with Russell's exit freeing ₹12 crore, thus giving them ample flexibility to reshape their squad or even try buying Russell back at the auction.
Major changes in the KKR camp
Russell is not the only big-name release. KKR have also let go of Venkatesh Iyer, bought for ₹23.75 crore, besides the quintet of Quinton de Kock, Moeen Ali, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The clear-out suggests a strategic rebuild, and the management would, thus, likely be aggressive in the mini auction.
Key performers who have been retained include Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Umran Malik, forming the core around which KKR will rebuild.
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Russell’s legacy at KKR
Across 133 matches, Russell delivered with both bat and ball, scoring 2,593 runs at a blistering strike rate of 174.97 while picking more than 123 wickets. From his 20-ball fifty in 2024 to the 510-run season in 2019, to the record of the fastest 200 IPL sixes, Russell leaves behind a legacy that not many overseas players have matched.
