In the latest IPL auction 2025 updates, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may not retain their most loyal player Andre Russell ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. According to Telegraph India, the retention of Andre Russell is uncertain as Kolkata Knight Riders explore other options.
Russell has been a key player for Knight Riders since joining in 2014 after two seasons with Delhi Daredevils. He scored 222 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 185 during KKR’s title win this year. Russell is the second highest wicket-taker for KKR with 19 wickets along with Harshit Rana.
The KKR management has been supportive of him, especially as he recovers from a knee injury ahead of IPL 2021. They organized a two-month training program with top trainers from the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys to help him regain his fitness. Russell also expressed his gratitude for the support.
Kolkata Knight Riders to release Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer
Andre Russell has a close relationship with Shahrukh Khan, the principal owner of KKR. Russell has been a part of KKR’s first team for several years but his release comes as a big surprise.
According to The Telegraph India, KKR will retain Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Phil Salt as well as opener Harshit Rana for ₹ 4 crore. The franchise is also interested in Ramandeep Singh, who performed well in the recent developing Asia Cup.
“Given the dynamics of IPL retention policy, KKR are expected to retain Rinku Singh, Narine, Varun and Phil Salt. Harshit Rana will be an uncapped retainer for ₹4 crore,” sources told The Telegraph.
“The franchise is also keen on Ramandeep Singh, who performed reliably in the recent developing Asia Cup, but how they will deploy him in these circumstances remains to be seen,” the report said.
Kolkata Knight Riders can use the eligible card
Kolkata Knight Riders have the option to use their Right to Match card to get Andre Russell back, depending on how the auction goes. It was retained for ₹12 crore during the last mega auction in 2022. The Jamaican was their top earner during the last mega auction.
In the IPL, franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including five capped players (both Indian and overseas) and two uncapped Indian players. For the upcoming mega auction, the IPL governing board has set the purse at ₹ 120 crore.
The retention tiles are: ₹18 crore, ₹14 crore and ₹11 crore for the first three players, ₹18 crore and ₹14 crore for the next two players. Teams can split a purse of ₹75 crore between their 5-cap players before the mega auction.
After Gautam Gambhir’s departure, Dwayne Bravo was appointed Mentor
The franchise chose Dwayne Bravo as their mentor after the departure of Gautam Gambhir. Bravo could aim to bring back Andre Russell by using the right to match (RTM) option. KKR is known for taking bold decisions during mega auctions to maintain a balanced squad with young talent.
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