Earlier, Andre Russell announced his retirement from the IPL ahead of the 2026 auction after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders, ending a 12-season playing career with the franchise. Addressing his absence in the finishing role, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar backed Indian players to step up and fill the void left by the West Indies star.
For years, Russell has been the backbone of KKR’s lower-order batting, delivering match-winning finishes with his explosive hitting. However, with the franchise now looking beyond him, the spotlight shifts to emerging Indian talents.
Nayar Backs Rinku, Ramandeep to Step Up
Speaking at KKR’s pre-season press conference alongside Shane Watson, captain Ajinkya Rahane, and mentor Dwayne Bravo, head coach Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in the team’s young core.
“Andre Russell has been a flag bearer for this franchise for many years.
What he’s done over the years in T20 cricket, it’s going to be hard to replicate. However, this is a season of opportunities. We have Rinku and Ramandeep who can step up and do something for the franchise, like they have before. There’s pressure when playing in the IPL but we want our players to be true to their potential and make a name for themselves. There are a lot of young cricketers in our setup, who can cement their name in the franchise’s legacy. Rinku has taken that responsibility for India and KKR, and Ramandeep’s also done it for us in the season when we won the championship. So, we’re hopeful that they can replicate those performances and create something special for this franchise. ”
The 37-year-old all-rounder will return to KKR as a power-hitting coach for IPL 2026, citing the physical demands of playing as the reason for hanging up his boots
Andre Russell’s Legacy at KKR (2014-2025)
Andre Russell enjoyed a legendary 12-year stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, during which he established himself as one of the most destructive all-rounders in IPL history. He played 133 matches for KKR, Russell scored 2593 runs at a staggering strike rate of 174-175. Batting primarily in the lower middle order, Russell smashed over 220 sixes and 183 fours, consistently finishing games with explosive cameos. He also registered 12 half-centuries, with a highest score of 88, often turning matches single-handedly in the death overs. With the ball, Russell was equally impactful, picking up 122 wickets for KKR, making him one of the rare players to dominate both departments.
Notably, Russell became one of only a few players in IPL history to achieve the rare double of 2000+ runs and 100+ wickets, highlighting his immense all-round value to the franchise over more than a decade.
