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CSK’s retention strategy had an enormous role to play in KKR’s decision to release Andre Russell and make him a ‘Power Coach’.
KKR’s decision to release Andre Russell seem pretty last-minute.
(PC: BCCI, Sportzpics)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)’s widely-debated decision to release Andre Russell into the IPL 2026 auction pool after which appoint him their ‘Power Coach’ was reportedly influenced by a call from Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
In accordance with Cricbuzz, KKR ‘revised their plans’ and released Russell after learning that CSK had decided to let go of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. KKR knew it would go away CSK’s purse at over Rs. 40 crore (the precise figure of Rs. 43.40 crore was only revealed on the time of the announcement), which might have been too near their very own purse of Rs. 46.30 crore with Russell’s salary still on their chequebook.
By releasing Russell, KKR pushed up its budget to Rs. 64.30 crore — giving them a transparent upper hand within the auction to find out the costs of the most well-liked players, especially the likes of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who may very well be key to their exact needs.
Furthermore, releasing Russell would earn KKR Rs. 18 crore in purse value, as an alternative of the Rs. 12 crore they were paying him. As per IPL rules, because KKR made Russell their second retention, they’d to order Rs. 18 crore for him, although they were allowed to pay him lower than that.
Because it happened, Russell announced his retirement from all IPL cricket on the last day for IPL 2026 auction registration. In a social media post, he pledged his loyalty to KKR, saying he felt uncomfortable seeing himself in fan-made edits of other teams’ kits, and confirmed that he had been appointed to the coaching role.
“Hanging up my IPL boots… but not the swagger. What a ride it’s been within the IPL — 12 seasons of memories, and a complete lot of affection from the KKR family. I’ll still be smashing sixes and taking wickets in every other league around the globe. And one of the best part? I’m not leaving home… you’ll see me in a brand new role, in KKR’s Support Staff, because the POWER COACH of 2026. Recent chapter. Same energy. Perpetually a Knight,” Russell captioned the post.
The report said KKR, too, didn’t wish to see him play for an additional franchise, while Russell saw future security within the coaching role.
Click here so as to add News18 as your chosen news source on Google. December 01, 2025, 21:07 IST
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