Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive Venky Mysore has finally addressed the franchise’s much-discussed choice to let go of Andre Russell before the upcoming IPL mini auction. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he explained that the decision was driven by the economics of the league’s retention slabs and the enormous effect Russell’s retention would have had on their available purse.
Mysore clarified that although Russell’s contract amount was twelve crore rupees, keeping him for the 2025 season would have reduced KKR’s auction purse by eighteen crore rupees. He pointed out that many people overlooked this crucial detail. In his view, an eighteen crore deduction is a massive financial hit in the context of a mini auction where every crore influences strategy. That single factor became the turning point in their assessment.
He added that teams approach mini auctions very differently from mega auctions. The priority is to enter with the maximum possible flexibility so that the franchise can react quickly to unexpected opportunities. Mysore admitted that if the deduction had been only twelve crore rupees, the outcome might have been completely different because it is extremely rare to find a player of Russell’s impact at that price in a limited player pool.
According to him, the decision was not taken at the last minute. The management spent several days exploring alternative structures and potential combinations before finally reaching the conclusion that releasing Russell was the most realistic option. He noted that once a player is placed back into the auction, the team must be prepared for the possibility of not securing him again.
The emotional impact on Russell was significant. Mysore shared that the allrounder was deeply unsettled once the news sank in, especially since he had been with KKR since 2014 and had never returned to the auction table in all those years. Russell confided that he struggled to sleep for several nights as the uncertainty of his future hit him. He told Mysore that he had grown attached to the purple and gold and the relationships he had built within the franchise.
During these discussions, an unexpected topic also surfaced: the possibility of Russell retiring from the IPL. Mysore said this idea took more concrete shape after he spoke with Shah Rukh Khan, who offered the view that retirement might serve as a graceful and meaningful transition for Russell at this stage of his career. Mysore explained that the suggestion came from a place of understanding, acknowledging how difficult it can be for athletes to think about life after cricket. He emphasised that Russell is still a remarkable player and continues to shine in leagues around the world, but the thought of what comes next often lingers in the background for veterans of the sport.
