Russell has been a KKR stalwart, representing the team in 139 matches between 2014 and 2025. With the bat, he scored 2,658 runs at an average of 28.58 and a strike rate of 175.09, including 13 fifties and a best of 88*. With the ball, he picked up 124 wickets at an average of 22.08 and an economy rate of 9.38, including one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls.
Now 37, Russell can enter the IPL 2026 auction, and several franchises could be eyeing him to strengthen their squads.
#1 Chennai Super Kings
CSK have a clear void in the all-rounder department after trading Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson to Rajasthan Royals (RR). With Shivam Dube and Jamie Overton remaining as options, the team lacks a proven game-changer.
With a purse of ₹43.40 crore and nine slots (four overseas) to fill, CSK can afford to bid aggressively for Russell. Age is not a barrier for the franchise, as seen with 44-year-old MS Dhoni, veterans like Faf du Plessis, and former stars like Shane Watson performing key roles over the years. Russell could easily fill the void left by Jadeja and Curran as a finisher and all-rounder.
#2 Kolkata Knight Riders
Though KKR released Russell, they could buy him back at a lower price. The franchise now enters the IPL 2026 mini-auction with the largest purse among all teams — ₹64.30 crore. With only Sunil Narine providing all-round value among retained players, Russell remains a vital need.
KKR’s strategy could involve re-signing him to strengthen both batting and bowling depth, making the auction a fascinating watch for fans and analysts alike.
#3 Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) retained the core of their squad but face gaps in the middle and lower order. Despite strong top-order performances from Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, inconsistency from players like Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, and Aniket Verma has hurt SRH.
Russell could be used as a finisher or floater in the batting lineup, with his bowling as an added bonus. With ₹25.5 crore in their purse, SRH have both the resources and the need to target Russell in the 2026 auction.
