Andre Russell announced his retirement from Indian Premier League and will be joining the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise as power coach.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell on Sunday (November 30, 2025) announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), while informing that he would be part of the three-time title winning side’s support staff in the 2026 edition.
Sharing the news through a video message addressed to the KKR fans on social media, the 37-year-old Russell, who has been an integral part of KKR since 2014, said, “I don’t want to fade out, I want to leave a legacy behind.”
“Hanging up my IPL boots… but not the swagger. What a ride it’s been in the IPL — 12 seasons of memories, and a whole lot of love from the @KKRiders family,” Russell wrote on X.
“I’ll still be smashing sixes and taking wickets in every other league around the world. And the best part? I’m not leaving home… you’ll see me in a new role, in KKR’s Support Staff, as the POWER COACH of 2026. New chapter. Same energy. Forever a Knight,” he added.
A hard-hitting batter and a pace bowler, Russell scored 2651 runs with a 174-plus strike rate and took 123 wickets in 140 IPL matches for KKR and Delhi Capitals.
Russell, who was released by KKR earlier this month, said he “felt weird to see myself in any colour other than purple and gold” and had “a few sleepless nights.”
Nevertheless, Russell would keep playing for other leagues around the world, including other KKR franchises.
Appreciating KKR’s love and respect for him, Russell said he would be “part of the KKR support staff as the new power coach in 2026.”
KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan thanked Russell for his contribution and welcomed him as the side’s ‘power coach.’
By joining the support staff, Russell has followed the footsteps of another venerable T20 cricketer from the Caribbean, Kieron Pollard, who serves as the batting coach of Mumbai Indians, even though he represents the franchise in other leagues.
“I’ve made a decision to retire from the IPL. I will still be active playing in various leagues around the world and for all the other KKR franchises. I had some amazing times and great memories (in the IPL), hitting sixes, winning games, getting MVPs…,” he said in a statement issued to the media.
“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. You still could go for a bit longer’. instead of ‘yeah, you should have done it years back’.”
“When you are going through social media, you keep seeing yourself photoshopped in different jerseys (of other teams). I felt weird to see myself in any colour other than purple and gold and those thoughts kept going through my head, leading me to a few sleepless nights.”
Russell said he has had discussions with the KKR management over his role in the franchise.
“There have been a lot of conversations between me and Mr. Venky Mysore and also Mr. Shah Rukh Khan, about another chapter in my IPL journey. They have shown me love and respect and have appreciate whatever I’ve been doing on the field. To be in a setup that’s familiar, matters to me a lot,” he said.
“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 added.
(with inputs from PTI)
Published – November 30, 2025 01:43 pm IST