Andre Russell (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images) Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to release Andre Russell ahead of the IPL 2026 auction has sparked a wave of reactions online, especially after an old assurance from the franchise resurfaced on social media. Fans were quick to point out that the team had gone back on their word after releasing the Jamaican all-rounder who had served KKR for 12 years.
Post by Venka Mysore
The now viral moment dates back to 2020 when Russell publicly expressed his desire to represent KKR until he retires. In a video posted by the franchise on X, Russell said he hoped to play for the Knight Riders for the rest of his career. In response, CEO Venky Mysore famously commented, “No doubt you will remain a Knight Rider until you leave the game and beyond! #Superman.”
IPL retentions, releases and trades: burning questions ahead of deadline
With KKR releasing Russell ahead of the mini-auction, fans are pointing to the statement as a broken promise. Russell, who joined KKR in 2014, became the franchise’s most decorated match-winner and played in their title runs in 2014 and 2024. His overall impact — more than 2,500 runs, more than 120 wickets, a strike tally of 175, a milestone like becoming the fastest 0-1-6 to 62 awards — cemented him as one of the greatest players in Knight Riders history. Still, the franchise decided to go ahead and free up INR 12 crore by releasing him along with several others, including Venkatesh Iyer and Quinton de Kock, as part of a massive overhaul that leaves KKR with a hefty purse of INR 64.3 crore in the auction. Age, fitness and high wages played a key role in the decision, with reports suggesting that KKR even explored trade options but found no suitors at his current price. Russell, now 37 and retired from international cricket, still remains a potential buyback option, but that hasn’t stopped fans from calling out the franchise for denying Mysore’s statement four years ago.
