Russell on demand: Potential IPL teams who can land KKR superstar via 2026 mini auction

Teams that could target Russell [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 retention day is all about surprises and perhaps the biggest surprise came when the Kolkata Knight Riders decided to part ways with their longest-serving player, Andre Russell. The West Indian has been associated with KKR since 2013, and since then has captured two IPL titles with them.

The all-rounder was retained by KKR for 12 crores, but perhaps the franchise felt that he was getting a bit too much towards the twilight of his career. Hence, with Russell now no longer a part of the KKR team, we look at 3 IPL sides that could go after the West Indian in the mini auction.

1) Chennai Super Kings

What were CSK’s biggest problems last season? It was their inability to cross the finishing line as the team lacked a power-packed finisher. The side has MS Dhoni, who was playing that role, but the batter was a pale shadow of his former self and it hurt the CSK side.

Russell offers that kind of firepower towards the slog overs, and his arrival will boost CSK’s middle-order as MSD’s burden would be reduced. The stats do tell that Russell is one of the best finishers in the IPL history.

(Russell in death overs)

• As the numbers tell, Russell has a strike rate of almost 196 in the death overs in the IPL, and that tells about his prowess as a finisher. Hence, the Yellow Army could run after the West Indian in the mini auction.
• Moreover, CSK might also need a bit of firepower in the bowling department and he could solve CSK's death overs bowling woes as well

2) Sunrisers Hyderabad

Last season, the Sunrisers Hyderabad relied on Abhinav Manohar to do the finishing job, but the Indian star failed to deliver the goods and was also dropped midway through the campaign.

(Manohar in IPL 2025)

• Just 61 runs in eight matches with a strike rate of 100, Manohar failed to live up to the expectations as a finisher. The team had pinned their hopes on him, but Manohar crumbled under pressure.
• This is where Russell’s experience and his finishing abilities come into play. In SRH, he would have the license to play to aggressive role since the team has a set template of going after every delivery. The team does have 26 crores to play with and could be tempted to go after the IPL legend.

3) Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR might have released him, but the team still has a chance to get him back in the mini auction for a reduced price. The veteran has been associated with them since 2013, and perhaps the franchise could get him back for what Russell has done for KKR in the last 11 years.

Why KKR could get Russell back?

KKR needs to find a like-for-like Russell replacement in the auction, and if they cannot, they might turn their attention towards the 37-year-old star player. There is still no substitute for Russell and the job that he does is difficult to fulfill by others.

The three-times IPL winners have heavily relied on his finishing abilities at number 6, and 7, and the team might go back to him for the same role in the next IPL season.

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