Overview
- KKR confirmed the departure of long-time match-winner Andre Russell and other seniors, creating a ₹64.3 crore purse and multiple open slots for the mini‑auction.
- Aakash Chopra and R. Ashwin have urged or predicted a Kolkata push for Australia’s Cameron Green as a potential Russell replacement.
- Observers widely expect Russell to be a high‑profile target who could trigger bidding wars at the Etihad Arena auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
- Former India batter Mohammed Kaif criticized the call to release Russell and linked the move to new head coach Abhishek Nayar, whose appointment has been confirmed.
- Separate reports have alleged informal CSK–KKR contacts regarding Russell, but these claims are single‑sourced and remain unverified.