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IPL 2026 mini-auction is already creating a buzz, and one name is on everyone's lips: Andre Russell. After a long and legendary run with the Kolkata Knight Riders, "Dre Russ" is back in the auction pool. Despite his being 37, you just can't find a substitute for his raw power. When Russell gets going, no boundary is safe. Teams know he can win a match in a handful of overs, and that's a rare skill.
Let’s look at three teams who will likely be lining up to get him on their roster.
1. Chennai Super Kings
CSK’s biggest problem last season was their struggle to cross the finish line in tight games. They seriously missed a power-packed finisher to take the pressure off an ageing MS Dhoni. Russell is the perfect solution. He brings the exact firepower CSK needs in the final overs. The stats don't lie: Russell's strike rate in the death overs (overs 17-20) in IPL history is a mind-boggling 195.9. He’s scored 1432 runs in just 731 balls in that phase. He could also give them a handy option with the ball at the death.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad loves to play an aggressive, all-out style of cricket. However, their finishing last season was a real letdown. They relied on Abhinav Manohar for that job, but he struggled, scoring just 61 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 100. This is where Russell’s vast experience comes in. In a team that loves to attack, Russell would have the full license to just go out and play his natural, aggressive game, fitting perfectly into their hard-hitting template.
3. Lucknow Super Giants
LSG will be a very serious contender for Russell. They just released their finisher, David Miller, leaving a massive gap in their lower-middle order. While they still have Nicholas Pooran, imagine pairing him with Andre Russell. That would create one of the most feared finishing duos in the entire league.
Even at 37, Russell is more than just a big-hitter; he's a complete package. He remains a "gun fielder" and can be a clever bowler in the death overs. With a pace attack now featuring Mohammed Shami and the retained Mayank Yadav, Russell's experience and all-around ability would be the final piece of the puzzle for LSG. Given that the Ekana Stadium offers slow pitches, Andre Russell could be a huge problem for batters with his slower ball variants.
