The IPL retention deadline day is just a few hours away. All the IPL teams including defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have almost finalised their final retention list.

KKR have got some serious selection headaches as they will have to let go of some of their star players in a bid to reorder their retention list. As per the Telegraph, KKR might release Andre Russell and let the 36 year old enter the IPL mega auction.

Russell has been an integral part of the franchise since 2014 and throughout the topsy turvy ride he has been a loyal servant for the Kolkata based side. He also played a pivotal role in KKR’s 2024 IPL triumph as he contributed both with bat and ball to lead his side to its third IPL title.

Russell’s ability to turn around any match on his own has been a great quality and the West Indies all-rounder will not have a dearth of suitors should he leave KKR after a prolonged 10 year service.

Russell’s fellow countryman Sunil Narine is almost certain to be retained alongside Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana. Russell’s departure would be surprising as the player is believed to be one of the very few players who has close ties with the hierarchy.

A KKR official told the Telegraph that a lot of things are going on behind the scenes. The fate of the Shreyas Iyer is still hanging over a thread. The KKR captain is reportedly in constant talks with the franchise over a new retention deal.

IPL’s most expensive buy at 24.75 crore, Mitchell Starc also might not find himself on the retention list of KKR and will enter the auction pool again. It remains to be seen how KKR approach the retention mechanism as they will have a tough task to cut out.

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