IPL Auction 2025: Andre Russell-Kolkata Knight Riders deal falls flat
Published - 30 Oct 2024, 12:38 PM | Updated - 30 Oct 2024, 11:36 PM
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In recent 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. Andre Russell's retention is uncertain as the Kolkata Knight Riders are exploring other options, according to a report by Telegraph India.
Russell has been a key player for the Knight Riders since joining in 2014, following two seasons with the Delhi Daredevils. He scored 222 runs in nine innings with a strike rate of 185 during KKR’s title victory this year. Russell is the second-highest wicket-taker for KKR with 19 wickets alongside Harshit Rana.
The KKR management has been supportive of him, especially when he was recovering from a knee injury before 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 gratitude for their support.
Kolkata Knight Riders Likely To Release Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer
Andre Russell has a close relationship with KKR's principal owner, Shah Rukh Khan. Russell has been part of KKR's core team for several years, but his release comes as a huge surprise.
According to The Telegraph India, KKR is likely to retain Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Phil Salt, along with uncapped player Harshit Rana for ₹ 4 crore. The franchise is also interested in Ramandeep Singh, who performed well in the recent Emerging Asia Cup.
"Given the dynamics of the IPL retention policy, KKR are expected to keep Rinku Singh, Narine, Varun, and Phil Salt. Harshit Rana will be the uncapped retention for ₹4 crore," sources told The Telegraph.
"The franchise is also very keen on Ramandeep Singh, who performed creditably at the recent Emerging Asia Cup, but how they accommodate him in the circumstances remains to be seen," the report added.
Kolkata Knight Riders Can Use Right to Match card
Kolkata Knight Riders have the option to use the Right to Match card to buy back Andre Russell, depending on how the auction plays out. He was retained for ₹12 crore during the last mega auction in 2022. The Jamaican was their highest-paid player during the last mega auction.
Franchises in the IPL 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 council has set the purse to ₹120 crore.
The retention slabs are: ₹18 crore, ₹14 crore, and ₹11 crore for the first three capped players, and ₹18 crore and ₹14 crore for the next two. Teams can allocate the retention purse of ₹75 crore among their five capped players before the mega auction.
Dwayne Bravo Appointed As Mentor Following Gautam Gambhir's Departure
The franchise has named Dwayne Bravo as a mentor after Gautam Gambhir's departure. Bravo may aim to bring Andre Russell back using the Right to Match (RTM) option. KKR is known for making bold decisions during mega auctions to keep a balanced squad with young talent.
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