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KKR CEO Venky Mysore's past promise to Andre Russell goes viral after IPL 2026 retentions

Rajgeeta Yadav

Venky Mysore gets slammed by KKR fans [Source: AFP]Venky Mysore gets slammed by KKR fans [Source: AFP]

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced their list of retained and released players on Saturday, and one name shocked everyone, Andre Russell. After being part of the franchise for more than a decade, KKR has finally decided to part ways with their star all-rounder ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. 

Fans were stunned, and many quickly criticised the team for letting go of one of their most loyal and impactful players.

Russell has been a key figure for KKR since 2014. Before the 2025 mega auction, he was even one of the five players the franchise chose to retain for ₹12 crore. 

Considered one of the greatest T20 players ever, and widely seen as an IPL legend, Russell is one of only two players in tournament history to score over 2,000 runs and take 100 wickets.

Venky Mysore's old tweet resurfaces online

What makes the release even more controversial is a video from 2020 that resurfaced online. In that clip, Russell says he hopes to play for KKR until the day he retires. In response, KKR CEO Venky Mysore confidently told him, 

“No doubt you will remain a Knight Rider until you retire from the game & beyond! #Superman.”

With the franchise now releasing him, fans are calling this promise a complete lie.

It is worth noting that Russell’s time at KKR has been filled with unforgettable performances. He played huge roles in their title wins in 2014 and 2024, smashing more than 2, 500 runs, taking over 120 wickets and winning 16 Player-of-the-Match awards.

Notably, over 133 matches, Russell scored 2,593 runs at a strike rate close to 175. In 2019, he had one of the most explosive seasons ever, scoring 510 runs and smashing 52 sixes. He’s also a strong bowler, with his best figures of 5 for 15 coming against Mumbai Indians in 2021. In 2024, he became the fastest player in IPL history to hit 200 sixes, beating Chris Gayle’s record.

Meanwhile, KKR released other big names too, including Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Moeen Ali, Anrich Nortje, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Spencer Johnson. These exits give KKR a massive ₹64.3 crore purse for the upcoming auction, the biggest among all teams.