KKR release Andre Russell as big-name cuts set the tone for IPL mini auction

Kolkata Knight Riders made the biggest statement through their releases ahead of the IPL mini auction. Andre Russell, the long-serving all-rounder for KKR, was let go by the franchise along with Venkatesh Iyer, their biggest buy in the mega auction last year.

KKR also released Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Moeen Ali, and Spencer Johnson. Mayank Markande was traded to Mumbai Indians, while Chetan Sakariya and Luvnith Sisodia were the other Indian players released. This left KKR with a purse of INR 64.3 crore, the biggest among all teams, with 13 slots (including 6 overseas) available.

Chennai Super Kings released Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana and the New Zealand duo of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, apart from trading out Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

Rajasthan Royals, who traded out Sanju Samson and Nitish Rana, released the Sri Lankan spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. They now have a purse of INR 16.05 crore with nine slots available.

Punjab Kings released Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell, along with Aaron Hardie, Kuldeep Sen, and Praveen Dubey.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru released Liam Livingstone, Tim Seifert, Lungi Ngidi, and Blessing Muzarabani to free up overseas slots, while Mayank Agarwal, Swastik Chikara, Manoj Bhandage, and Mohit Rathee were the Indian players released.

Mumbai Indians, who roped in Sherfane Rutherford and Shardul Thakur during the trading window, released nine players including Satyanaryana Raju, Vignesh Puthur, Reece Topley, and Arjun Tendulkar (traded to Lucknow Super Giants).

Delhi Capitals released Faf du Plessis, Mohit Sharma, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Donovan Ferreria (traded out).

Lucknow Super Giants released eight players, including David Miller, Akash Deep, Ravi Bishnoi, and Shardul Thakur (traded to MI).

Sunrisers Hyderabad, who traded out Mohammed Shami, released Adam Zampa, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Chahar, and others.

Gujarat Titans released Gerald Coetzee, Dasun Shanaka, Mahipal Lomror, and others, apart from trading Rutherford to MI.

Team-wise releases:

Kolkata Knight Riders: Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Mayank Markande (traded to MI), Chetan Sakariya, Luvnith Sisodia

Chennai Super Kings: Ravindra Jadeja (traded to RR), Sam Curran (traded to RR), Matheesha Pathirana, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra

Rajasthan Royals: Kunal Singh Rathore, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya, Sanju Samson (traded to CSK), Nitish Rana (traded to DC)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Liam Livingstone, Swastik Chikara, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee, Mayank Agarwal

Mumbai Indians: Satyanarayana Raju, Vignesh Puthur, Reece Topley, Bevon Jacobs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lizaad Williams, Karn Sharma, KL Shrijith, Arjun Tendulkar (traded to LSG)

Lucknow Super Giants: Aryan Juyal, David Miller, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Akash Deep, Ravi Bishnoi, Shardul Thakur (traded to MI)

Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sediqullah Atal, Manvanth Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, Donovan Ferreria (traded to RR)

Gujarat Titans: Dasun Shanaka, Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Gerald Coetzee, Kulwant Khejroliya, Sherfane Rutherford (traded to MI)

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, Wiaan Mulder, Simarjeet Singh, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Mohammed Shami (traded to LSG)

Punjab Kings: Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Kuldeep Sen, Praveen Dubey