Andre Russell announces IPL Retirement with immediate effect, KKR legend set for New Role

Kolkata Knight Riders star Andre Russell has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League on Sunday (November 30).

Russell, who has been a stalwart in the IPL for years with KKR, was left out by the Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026 auction.

Amid this, the West Indies veteran has announced to hang his boots from the prestigious league, where he has part of some amazing folklores. But he has retired as a player, as the all-rounder is expected to join the KKR coaching staff in IPL 2026. He joined the Knight Riders in 2014 and has since been part of two IPL-winning KKR team, most recently in 2024.

Andre Russell to become KKR Coaching Staff

Russell announced his KKR retirement with an emotional social media video, which also revealed his new role.

"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," Russell wrote on his caption.

The Knight Riders have appointed Abhishek Nayar as head coach while Shane Watson and Tim Southee have also joined in assistant roles. It is understood that Russell is following the same path as well. KKR will be heading into the IPL 2026 mini auction with a purse of Rs 64.3 crore, by far the most among all teams.

Andre Russell's legacy at KKR

Andre Russell's legacy with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL is monumental, marked by explosive all-round performances that significantly shaped the franchise's success. He played for KKR from 2014 to 2025, contributing to their IPL title wins in 2014 and 2024.

Russell scored 2,593 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 174.97 and took 123 wickets over 133 matches, becoming one of the tournament's most feared all-rounders and a fan favorite at Eden Gardens and beyond. He was notably the Player of the Tournament in IPL 2019 and holds the record as the fastest player to reach 200 IPL sixes, achieving this in just 1,322 balls-surpassing Chris Gayle's record. He also earned 16 Player-of-the-Match awards, second only to Sunil Narine in KKR history.