"You will remain a Knight Rider until you retire" - Venky Mysore's old tweet goes viral after KKR release Andre Russell ahead of IPL 2026 Auction

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction. Following the announcement, KKR CEO Venky Mysore's X (formerly Twitter) post from May 3, 2020, went viral on social media.

The said tweet was a response to Russell's desire to play for KKR until he retired. Mysore assured the swashbuckling batter that he would remain a Knight Rider forever, even after his playing career concluded

Mysore wrote on X:

"@Russell12A no doubt you will remain a Knight Rider until you retire from the game & beyond! #Superman."

Venky Mysore

@VenkyMysore

@Russell12A no doubt you will remain a Knight Rider until you retire from the game & beyond! #Superman

Andre Russell joined the KKR squad in 2014 and soon became an integral part of the team. He was part of the side's title-winning squads in 2014 and 2024. The 37-year-old was retained by Kolkata for ₹12 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

He scored 167 runs across 10 innings at a strike rate of 163.72 and claimed eight wickets from nine innings with an economy rate of 11.94. KKR failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing eighth in the points table.

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"He is a once-in-a-generation player" - Mohammad Kaif reacts to KKR releasing Andre Russell ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif didn't seem to agree with KKR's call to release Andre Russell. He opined that ₹12 crore was not a big amount for a one-in-a-generation player like him.

The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that, despite not being in his prime, Russell would still have been an asset because of his experience. He reckoned that new head coach Abhishek Nayar may have had a big role to play in the decision.

Kaif said on his YouTube channel:

"Russell's release is not right. You had him at 12 crore and that is not a big amount really for a player like him. He is once in a generation player. Yes he was out of form but later on he scored runs too. But as coaches change, they bring some changes. I think this was a big call.

"You can say he was not at his peak, but I feel this is such a format, specially in the IPL, where experienced players do well and there are many examples. I feel the straight answer to his release is Abhishek Nayar. He wants to make his own team now. But this was an astonishing call."

Andre Russell is likely to be in great demand at the auction. He has 2651 runs to his name from 115 innings at an impressive strike rate of 174.17. With the ball, he has picked up 123 wickets across 121 innings. He has an economy rate of 9.51.

Meanwhile, the IPL 2026 auction is set to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16.