Andre Russell Announces Retirement From IPL

Legendary West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi next month, has announced his retirement from the cash-rich Indian Premier League. The 37-year-old cricketer from Jamaica, who retired from international cricket as well earlier this year, played a total of 140 matches in the world’s richest franchise cricket league for two teams—Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils)—and scored 2651 runs in addition to taking 123 wickets.

Russell played a big role in KKR’s IPL title win in 2014 and was an integral member of the Kolkata-based franchise in the 2024 season as well when they won their third title under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership.

Russell announced his retirement

from IPL via a video on Instagram and stated that he will join the team’s support staff ahead of the 2026 edition.

“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 KKR family. 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,” Russell captioned the video.

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A post shared by Andre Russell🇯🇲 Dre Russ.🏏 (@ar12russell)

“Hi KKR fans, Dre Russ here. Just want to give you guys the big news. I have made a decision to retire from the IPL. I will still be active playing in various leagues all around the world and for all the other KKR franchises. I had some amazing times and great memories, hitting sixes, winning games, MVP, and all of those things, but when I made this decision, I just felt like, “Yes, this is the best decision.” I don’t want to fade out. I want to leave a legacy, and it’s best to retire when fans ask, “Why?” “You still have some more in you. You still could go for a bit longer,” than just say, “Yeah, you should have done it years back,” Russell said in the video.

“You know, we are a part of the Instagram world, so when you are going through your feed, you keep seeing yourself in different jerseys, and I’m like… hmm…”I look weird in that jersey,” and it’s just those thoughts that have been going through my head. I had a few sleepless nights. There have been a lot of conversations between me and Venky Mysore and also Shah Rukh Khan about another chapter in my IPL journey, and they have shown me respect and love. They appreciate whatever I have been doing on the field and to be in a setup where I’m familiar. That matters to me a lot. So Kolkata, I’ll be back. I am here now just to say that I will be part of the KKR support staff. So when I heard that name, coming from Venky. I said, “You know, ‘power coach’—that describes Dre Russ, that describes Andre Russell because the power that I possess when I bat and the energy that I show in the field with the ball in hand I can help in any department. So see you soon, and Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo,” Russell added.