IPL 2024: CSK, RR or SRH - Which Team Will Land Andre Russell After KKR Release Star All-Rounder?

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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.

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.

While there were reports of him being released, there is also gossip that Russell may be transfered to one of the sides during the trade window, which ends this Sunday (November 26) the same day, the franchises will announce their released and retained list.

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.

Latest reports from Cricbuzz suggest that Russell is likely to be retained by the two-time champions. So, the West Indies all-rounder is set to play in purple and gold for at least one more season, wiping out rumours of him playing elsewhere in the upcoming season.

Russell has so far scored 2262 runs, including 10 fifties at a strike rate of 174.00, and also claimed 96 wickets in 112 IPL matches. In the last season, the West Indies all-rounder scored 227 runs at a strike rate of 145.51 in 14 innings, and claimed just 7 wickets in his 9 bowling innings.