Russell fondly recalled iconic KKR moments, explaining why retiring now felt right
New Delhi
Kolkata Knight Riders icon Andre Russell has officially announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League after a glittering 14-season career, bringing an emotional close to one of the league’s most explosive batting chapters. The West Indies all-rounder, who helped KKR lift two IPL titles, confirmed that he would transition into the franchise’s support staff as their new Power Coach for the 2026 season.
Russell was released by KKR ahead of the upcoming mini-auction, ending a 12-season association as a player. However, instead of entering the auction pool, the 37-year-old chose loyalty over continuation, stating he could not imagine wearing the jersey of any other franchise. He said he wanted to leave the league “on a high” rather than fading out, and that seeing digitally altered images of himself in other team colours had given him “sleepless nights.”
In his farewell message, Russell highlighted the memories he built with KKR—from match-winning knocks to MVP seasons in 2015 and 2019. He said the decision to retire felt right, even though fans might have expected him to continue.
Russell revealed that discussions with CEO Venky Mysore and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan eventually shaped his next chapter with the team. The role of Power Coach resonated with him, he said, as it aligned perfectly with his identity—power hitting, impactful bowling, and infectious on-field energy. Russell will now focus on guiding KKR players across departments, leveraging his experience and trademark aggression.
Across 140 IPL matches, Russell amassed 2651 runs at a strike rate of 174.18 and claimed 123 wickets. With 2593 runs and 122 wickets for KKR alone, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest match-winners.