The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is around the corner. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosted the Knights Unplugged 3.0 event in Kolkata, where they introduced the whole KKR team and coaching staff formally to the fans and announced the captain in the form of Ajinkya Rahane and vice-captain Rinku Singh for the upcoming edition of the IPL.
KKR management also gave felicitation to the former Knight Andre Russell, who retired from the IPL after the management released him during the mini-auction last year. Russell was the part of the KKR since 2014 and has won two trophies with the franchise. He has been added as the power coach for the upcoming season for KKR.
KKR retires Andre Russell’s number 12 jersey
The Purple and Gold side have now honoured Andre Russell as they have retired the number 12 jersey to respect the legacy of the West Indies all-rounder. The newly appointed power coach landed in Kolkata late at night and joined the side for the event.
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Andre Russell has been a part of the KKR family for nearly 12 years. He won the IPL in his first season with the franchise and later on in 2024. The Caribbean powerhouse has been a match-winner for the side over the years and won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award twice back in 2015 and 2019 for his exceptional all-round performances.
The 37-year-old made 133 appearances for KKR, scoring 2651 runs with a strike rate of 174.18. Russell has proved his worth each time for the franchise with powerful batting and bowling performances in the past. However, with age catching up, he failed to deliver the same in the last season, scoring just 167 runs and his average also dipped to 18.56.
We would like to retire this number- Venky Mysore
“In your honour, we would like to retire this number for KKR,” KKR CEO Venky Mysore announced, a declaration that ensures no other Knight will ever wear the number that Russell turned into a symbol of fear for bowlers worldwide.
KKR RETIRING NUMBER 12 JERSEY FOR ANDRE RUSSELL 🥹
– A Standing Ovation for the Iconic moment. pic.twitter.com/50Otzi2y1c
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 24, 2026
During the event, a video was played of his decade-long journey with the franchise, and he got emotional after watching the video. “I got a bit emotional watching that video,” Russell admitted to the cheering crowd.
I played like it was the last game- Andre Russell
“It’s been over a decade of amazing achievements, having been part of two title-winning teams. To see what it meant to everyone… that’s a different enjoyment. World Cups feel special. When you win the IPL, it’s something different. The last one we won, I got teary-eyed.”
“When you have left everything on the field, you don’t regret walking away from the game. Every game I played, I played like it was the last game of my IPL career”, he said.
“I have no regrets about being in this role. I am excited,” Andre Russell said. “We have one of the youngest and very talented coaching staff. I would love to be a part of a coaching staff like this. It makes my job easier. I hope whatever knowledge I bring to the table can make their job easier.”
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