Ahead of the auction for the IPL 2024, teams have started releasing players so that they can open up their roster to acquire new players. The two-time IPL Trophy winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are also looking to bolster their squad by letting go of some big names to make new additions.
Andre Russell is reportedly been linked with a trade to Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past 24 hours after rumours of the West Indies all-rounder being released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.
According to the rumours floating on the internet, the big-hitting West Indies all-rounder Russell is likely to be released by KKR after back-to-back poor seasons with both bat and ball in the IPL.
KKR was knocked out of the previous year’s tournament before entering the playoff round. KKR managed to register only 6 wins in their 14 league games in IPL 2023, finishing seventh on the points table.
With the auction for IPL 2024 around the corner, KKR might make a few changes in their squad for the upcoming season.
IPL 2024 Players Released
As of the previous season, BCCI allowed franchises to use the “TRADE” option where teams can exchange players between them. The ‘IPL Trade Window’ allows the franchises to either swap players between themselves or buy players for an all-cash deal.
The IPL 2024 players released will be put up on auction and get the opportunity to join another team before the league begins.
Russell has been ever-present in the Kolkata-based franchise since 2014, when he won the title with the side in his first season, and has been retained ahead of every auction till the 2023 edition.
Now, reports suggest that KKR has released Russell ahead of the IPL 2024 mini auction. Kolkata Knight Riders kept faith in the all-rounder by retaining him for Rs 12 Crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction despite terrible numbers in 2020 and 2021.
However, the West Indian has failed to live up to his hype. Russell, his compatriot Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer were the quartet that were retained by KKR ahead of the 2022 mega auction. The quartet along with several others were retained ahead of the last auction.
Which team will Andre Russell play in IPL 2024?
The two teams linked with a move for a trade of Russell are Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. While Royals only want to look at the trade option, SRH are also open to go all out for the all-rounder in the auction should he be released.
However, with the return of Gautam Gambhir, KKR may opt against releasing Andre Russell and look to give him another season to perform at his best by playing his natural game.
It’s unclear which player RR or SRH could include in the trade as Russell cost KKR Rs 12 Crore. Royals have already traded Devdutt Padikkal to land Avesh Khan, while Sunrisers Hyderabad may look at using someone like Harry Brook in the deal.
Chennai Super Kings can also go after the West Indies all-rounder with their purses expanding after England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was bought for Rs 16.25 Crore, has pulled out of the upcoming edition. So, CSK and Punjab Kings also could be interested in the fast bowling all-rounder.