The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) created shockwaves on IPL 2026 retention day by releasing star all-rounder Andre Russell on Saturday, November 15. The 37-year-old has been with the franchise for over a decade since the 2014 season.
Russell played a crucial role in KKR’s success, helping the team win two of their three IPL titles in 2014 and 2024. The West Indian all-rounder was particularly vital in the franchise’s dominant title run last year, scoring 222 runs at an average of almost 32 with an impressive strike rate of 185. In addition, he took 19 wickets during IPL 2024.
As one of the most accomplished IPL superstars, Russell boasts over 2,600 runs and 123 wickets in 140 matches. His impact on the league and the franchise has been immense over the years.
Fan Reactions to Andre Russell’s Release
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) were stunned by KKR’s decision to release Andre Russell. Many expressed their disappointment and shared heartfelt messages:
“Andre Russell released—an era is finished at KKR!!! This is something I thought would never happen. Andre Russell has been released. In 2020, he said he would want to play for KKR till the day he retires. But just because of one blunder last year, they’re parting ways with one of their biggest match winners. Hope we get him back,” a fan posted.
“Thank you for everything, Andre Russell. You were and will always be the heart and soul of this franchise. The thought of seeing you in another franchise will always haunt me. Hopefully, we can see you in KKR next season again, maybe in some other role,” another fan said.
Andre Russell’s IPL 2025 Struggles
Russell endured a rare difficult campaign in IPL 2025, finishing with fewer than 200 runs and only eight wickets across 13 games. The big-hitting all-rounder struggled with the bat, averaging a disappointing 18.55 and managing just a single half-century.
His performance with the ball was also below par, as he bowled at an economy rate close to 12. This poor form significantly impacted KKR’s ability to defend their title from the previous year.
For IPL 2025, the three-time champions finished eighth in the standings, winning only five out of 14 matches.
Other Player Releases and Looking Ahead to IPL 2026
Besides Russell, KKR also released other prominent players, including big-ticket buy from last year Venkatesh Iyer and three overseas stars: Moeen Ali, Anrich Nortje, and Quinton de Kock.
With these changes, the franchise will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a massive purse of ₹64.30 crore, signaling a potential overhaul and a fresh approach for the upcoming season.