Breaking News: Andre Russell Retires from IPL, Joins KKR Support Staff as 'Power Coach'

Breaking News: Andre Russell Retires from IPL, Joins KKR Support Staff as 'Power Coach'

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) legend, Andre Russell, has officially announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a phenomenal 12-season playing career with the franchise.

The West Indies all-rounder, known for his explosive power hitting, will not be participating in the upcoming IPL season as a player. However, the 37-year-old will immediately transition into a new off-field role with KKR, joining their support staff as the team's Coach from the 2026 season.

Explaining the timing, Russell said, "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,' instead of 'yeah, you should have done it years back.'

Russell will serve as KKR's Power Coach for the 2026 season, a role he believes perfectly suits his on-field persona. He aims to impart his unique expertise in power-hitting and high-intensity energy to the next generation of KKR players.

While his IPL playing days are over, Russell confirmed he will continue to play in other T20 leagues around the world, including the other Knight Riders franchises.

Russell made the announcement via a heartfelt video message on social media, expressing thanks to the franchise's management and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for their support. His IPL career concludes with 140 matches, over 2,651 runs at a fearsome strike rate of 174.18, and 123 wickets.