Bad news for KKR fans as Andre Russell retires from IPL, set to join… News24 –
Andre Russell Retirement: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans, brace yourselves. The IPL just got a little less explosive Andre Russell, the man who redefined ‘power-hitting’ and became a two-time IPL winner with KKR, has officially announced his retirement from the competition. But don’t worry, the ‘Dre Russ’ story isn’t over yet; it’s just moving to the dugout.
The West Indies all-rounder confirmed he’ll be joining the Knight Riders’ backroom staff for the upcoming IPL 2026 season as their new Power Coach. Talk about a legendary transition!
The End of an Era
Russell’s decision comes right after KKR released him ahead of the December mini-auction, ending a massive 12-season association with the franchise. True to his loyal nature, Russell made it clear he wouldn’t entertain the idea of donning any other jersey.
In a heartfelt statement, Russell explained his reasoning, saying he wanted to “leave a legacy behind” and finish his playing career on a high note.
“When I made this decision, I felt like it was the best decision at this point. I don’t want to fade out, I want to leave a legacy behind. It’s best to retire when fans ask ‘why? You still have some more in you…’”
He admitted the thought of seeing himself in another team’s colours was deeply unsettling, even leading to “a few sleepless nights.”
“I felt weird to see myself in any colour other than purple & gold and those thoughts kept going through my head…”
It’s a genuine testament to the bond he shared with the franchise and its fans. KKR wasn’t just a team for Russell; it was home.
The Rise of the Power Coach
The conversation about his future began long ago, with Russell having serious chats with KKR’s management, including CEO Venky Mysore and owner Shah Rukh Khan.
“They have shown me love and respect and have appreciated whatever I’ve been doing on the field. To be in a setup that’s familiar, matters to me a lot,” he said.
The new role? Power Coach. And honestly, could there be a better title for Andre Russell?
“When I heard that name – ‘Power Coach’, I felt that describes Andre Russell the best, because the power that I possess when I bat, the energy that I show in the field with ball in hand, I can help in any department.”
Russell will remain active in other global leagues and for KKR’s other franchises, but his IPL focus will now be entirely on mentoring the next generation of Knights, helping them harness their own raw power and match-winning energy.
“So Kolkata, I’ll be back. I’m here to say I will be a part of the KKR support staff as the new Power Coach in 2026,” he concluded.
Andre Russell’s IPL stats
Russell’s IPL career stats are simply staggering. Across 140 matches, he piled up 2651 runs at a mind-boggling strike-rate of 174.18. He also bagged 123 wickets at a solid average of 23.28.
Most of his magic came in the purple and gold: 2593 runs and 122 wickets for KKR. His dominance was recognized with two IPL Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in 2015 and 2019. There’s no doubt that when KKR needed a miracle, they looked to Dre Russ.