New Delhi, Nov 30 (NationPress) West Indies all-rounder and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) powerhouse Andre Russell has made a significant announcement regarding his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Just before the mini auction scheduled for December 16, Russell declared his retirement from the IPL but revealed his intention to join the three-time champions as the power coach.

In a heartfelt video message shared on his social media, he expressed, "Hanging up my IPL boots… but my swagger remains. It’s been an incredible journey in the IPL — 12 seasons filled with cherished memories and immense love from the KKR family."

He continued, "I’ll continue to hit sixes and take wickets in leagues worldwide. The exciting part? I’m not leaving home… I’ll be stepping into a new role within KKR’s Support Staff as the POWER COACH for 2026. A new chapter, but the same energy. Forever a Knight."

Over the span of 12 IPL seasons, Russell participated in 140 matches, amassing 2651 runs with an astonishing strike rate of 174.18 and claiming 123 wickets at an economy of 9.51, with his best bowling figures being 5 for 15.

Making his IPL debut in 2012 with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), he transitioned to KKR in 2014, where he played a total of 133 matches, securing two titles (2014 and 2024).

Reflecting on his journey, he stated, "I’ve enjoyed amazing times and created wonderful memories. Hitting sixes, clinching victories, being an MVP — all of it. However, it’s essential to know when to retire. When I made this choice, I felt it was the right one. I don’t want to fade away; I want to leave a legacy. It’s better to retire when fans think, ‘Why? You still have more to give,’ than to hear, ‘You should have done this years ago.’"

He shared his thoughts on social media, stating, "In the Instagram era, you often find yourself seeing different jerseys and friends, teammates sending you pictures, saying, ‘You look good in this jersey.’ And I’m like, ‘Hmm, I look odd in that jersey.’ Those thoughts have been on my mind."

Russell revealed that he had several sleepless nights contemplating this decision. He engaged in numerous discussions with Venky Mysore and Shah Rukh Khan regarding his next chapter in IPL, expressing gratitude for their respect and support. He emphasized, “Being in a familiar environment matters a lot to me.”

"So Kolkata, I’m returning. I’m here to announce that I’ll be part of KKR’s support staff. When Venky mentioned the role of power coach, I thought, ‘That fits Dre Russ. That’s Andre Russell — the power I bring while batting and the energy I exhibit in the field. I can contribute in any department.'"

Despite being retained for ₹12 crore ahead of the mega auction last season, KKR released him following a lackluster performance in IPL 2025, where he scored merely 167 runs in 13 innings and took eight wickets.