Aaron Finch, who is the only Australian to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title as captain, has suggested Kolkata Knight Riders to release Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. 30-year-old Venkatesh, who has played two ODIs and nine T20Is as well for Team India in the 2021-22 season, was signed for Rs 23.75 crore by the Kolkata-based franchise in the IPL 2025 mega auction, but he failed to justify the price tag in the world’s richest franchise cricket league this year. Venkatesh played 11 matches for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team in IPL 2025 and was only able to score a total of 142 runs.
On the other hand, Russell has been associated with KKR since 2014. The former West Indies all-rounder was retained for Rs 12 crore
by the three-time champions ahead of the mega auction last year. He played 13 league matches in IPL 2025 and scored 167 runs in 10 innings in addition to taking eight wickets.
In a video shared by Star Sports on X ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline, Finch was asked to name players KKR should release ahead of the auction, and he mentioned Venkatesh and Russell’s names along with South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock.
“Rs 23.75 crore – it’s too high for a player that they (KKR) bought as an opening batter but then used in the middle. Didn’t really bowl him all that much. That’s way too much to pay for a player playing out of position,” Finch said when asked about Iyer.
Venkatesh Iyer’s big price tag 💰
Quinton de Kock’s experience 🧠
Andre Russell’s explosiveness 💥With plenty on the line ahead of TATA IPL 2026, Aaron Finch reveals who #KKR should Hold or Fold! 💜
WATCH TATA IPL 2026 Retention Special 👉🏻 SAT, 15th NOV, 5 PM on Star Sports… pic.twitter.com/yU8MeHgKhS
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 10, 2025
As for Russell, who has scored 2593 runs and 122 wickets to his credit in 133 IPL matches for KKR, Finch said, “I will release, but I think you could get a great trade, but we know that they are not going to do that and never release Dre Russ.”
If reports are to be believed then KKR will release Venkatesh along with Moeen Ali, Anrich Nortje and De Kock ahead of IPL 2026 auction.
