Delhi: It is not that every player released by the IPL teams is useless or unsuccessful. Being released could also mean that he simply did not fit into the team’s future vision or was bought at an expensive price. Therefore, there are many players in the release list who will be in the sights of other teams and some may even get a bigger contract than their previous one.

Andre Russell (released by KKR):

His release was surprising because he is still one of the most dangerous all-rounders in T20 cricket. Perhaps not giving a sensational performance in IPL 2025 proved costly. Amazing finisher and useful bowler for the rest of the teams. Kolkata Knight Riders’ name was associated with him since 2014. Despite his release, Russell is still expected to be in demand due to his all-round qualities. The strike-rate of 163.73 in batting and 13.63 in bowling is excellent. The current contract was worth Rs 12 crore.

Mathisha Pathirana (released by CSK):

Sri Lanka’s Mathisha Pathirana’s average performance last season overshadowed his Rs 13 crore contract. Known as ‘Junior Malinga’ for his slinging action, he was with Chennai Super Kings since 2022 and has been one of the dangerous death bowlers, especially in 2023. There is a lot of talk that the Chennai team itself will try its best to buy him back at a cheaper price. Therefore, he will be in the list of some team in the IPL 2026 auction. 45 wickets in 30 matches in the last three seasons. Foreign pacers have made many price records in the mini-auction, so Pathirana can also get a good price.

Venkatesh Iyer (released by KKR):

When he was the third most expensive player in the last auction, experts had already written that KKR had spent more money on him than necessary. This itself brought Venkatesh under pressure and he was neither in the scheme of Team India nor Kolkata Knight Riders. The price of Rs 23.75 crore is not small. However, he is a good player and hence will be in demand but it is certain that his price will be low. A top-order batsman who can also contribute with the ball and being from India, all these factors are in his support.

Quinton de Kock (released by KKR):

This team released 9 players, which clearly means that they want to give a new shape to the team and Quinton de Kock’s name also appeared in the same list. The foreign opener, whose performance in the last season was not particularly impressive, did not fit into their plan. He is also a wicketkeeper so will be in demand, along with being a left handed opener who can score runs quickly in the powerplay. He is in the release list but the contract of Rs 3.6 crore was not very big. Therefore, it is possible that they may take a bigger contract than the previous one.

Gerald Coetzee (released by Gujarat Titans):

Coetzee is one of the four names released by this team. The answer to why he was not stopped is probably that the team’s strategy was changing in which he did not fit in. Coetzee will be in demand in the mini-auction because he is young, bowls at a speed of 145-150 kmph, has experience of playing T20, economy rate of 6.5 is not high, takes wickets and the current price is only Rs 2.4 crore. They will take a big contract.