In a surprising turn of events, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are reportedly considering releasing their star all-rounder Andre Russell ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction. The 36-year-old has been a key figure for the franchise for over a decade, contributing significantly to their success.
Russell’s exclusion from the retention list is particularly shocking, given his impact during KKR’s victorious IPL 2024 campaign. However, KKR may still bring him back using the Right to Match (RTM) card during the auction.
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What role has Andre Russell played in KKR's success?
Since joining KKR in 2014 after a brief stint with Delhi Daredevils, Andre Russell has been a force to be reckoned with.
In IPL 2024, Russell played a crucial part in KKR's title win, scoring 222 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 185 and finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets.
Despite his stellar performances, Russell's fitness has often been a concern, with the all-rounder facing multiple injury setbacks in recent seasons. KKR, however, has always stood by him.
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How has Andre Russell performed with the bat for KKR?
Here is a detailed look at Andre Russell's IPL batting stats for Kolkata Knight Riders:
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 101 | 2426 | 88 | 29.95 | 175.7 | 11 |
How has Russell fared with the ball for KKR?
Andre Russell has also contributed significantly with the ball for KKR. Here are his bowling stats:
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| Innings | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105 | 114 | 21.20 | 13.67 |
