Sun Nov 30 08:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Andre Russell Announces IPL Retirement, Joins KKR as “Power Coach”

Kolkata, India – In a surprising development just months before the IPL 2026 auction, West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League. The 37-year-old all-rounder, recently released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), revealed his decision via an Instagram post, stating he will not be seeking a contract with another franchise. Instead, he will transition into a “power coach” role within the KKR support staff for the 2026 season.

“I had some amazing times and great memories hitting sixes, winning games, getting MVPs,” Russell stated in a released quote. “I don’t want to fade out, I want to leave a legacy behind. It’s best to retire when fans ask ‘why?’, instead of ‘you should have done it years back’.”

Russell departs the IPL as a legend, boasting a formidable record across his 12 seasons. He played 140 matches, amassing 2651 runs at a blistering strike rate of 174.18, and claiming 123 wickets with best bowling figures of 5/15.

After debuting with Delhi Daredevils in 2012, Russell found his home with KKR in 2014. He became synonymous with the purple and gold, featuring in 133 games and contributing to two championship victories in 2014 and 2024. His explosive lower-order hitting earned him the IPL MVP award twice, in 2015 and 2019. Russell also leaves behind an impressive 223 sixes, placing him seventh on the all-time IPL sixes leaderboard.

However, recent seasons saw a dip in Russell’s performance, with his IPL 2025 season yielding only 167 runs and eight wickets at a high economy rate of 11.94. This decline reportedly influenced KKR’s decision to release him, freeing up INR 12 crore for the upcoming auction.

“I felt weird to see myself in any colour other than purple & gold, and those thoughts kept going through my head, leading me to a few sleepless nights,” Russell confessed, explaining his decision to remain with KKR in a different capacity. He also mentioned conversations with KKR CEO Venky Mysore and owner Shah Rukh Khan regarding his future with the franchise, emphasizing the importance of familiarity and mutual respect.

While Russell is stepping away from the IPL, he intends to continue playing in other franchise leagues around the world. His experience and knowledge will undoubtedly be an asset to KKR as they aim to build on their recent success.

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