Burly all-rounder Andre Russell announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League on Sunday ahead of the tournament`s mini auction, which is scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
He will join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching staff. Since IPL 2014, he has been an integral part of the KKR and will now join the franchise as the “power coach”.
He announced his retirement by sharing a post on his official social media handle in which he wrote, “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”.
“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.
With his move to join the support staff, Russell has joined the likes of another West Indies legend, Kieron Pollard, who serves as the batting coach of the Mumbai Indians (MI). He, too, features in other leagues of the globe.
The 37-year-old Russell has not missed a single season of the cash-rich league since 2012. Earlier, he used to represent the Delhi Daredevils in his first two editions.
The cricketer also revealed that he had conversations with the team`s officials about him continuing to serve the franchise in a different role.
“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,” added Russell.
Over the years, he has been known for his power-hitting approach with the willow and taking wickets at crucial moments.
The Jamaica-born cricketer played a total of 140 matches in the history of the IPL and scored 2651 runs, with a strike rate of 174.18. The right-hander also has 12 half-centuries to his name in the tournament.
With the balls, he scalped 123 wickets with an economy rate of 9.51, including one five-wicket haul.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis, aged 41, also announced that he would not be making his appearance in the next year`s edition as he will be featuring in another league.
(With PTI Inputs)
