Andre Russell appointed as power coach of KKR ahead of IPL 2026
Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday appointed West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell as its Power Coach ahead of the 2026 season.
Russell announced his retirement from the IPL, and brought the curtains down on an 12-year association with KKR, a franchise he joined in 2014 and went on to become one of its most influential players.
After announcing his retirement, Russell revealed he will still be a part of KKR but in a different capacity. “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,” read his Instagram caption.
The 37-year-old made 133 appearances for KKR and was part of the title-winning campaigns in 2014 and 2024. Russell had been retained ahead of the mega auction before last season for Rs. 12 crore, but KKR decided to release him after a poor outing in IPL 2025.
Earlier in 2022, his compatriot Keiron Pollard took a similar route when he announced his IPL retirement and was subsequently roped in as the batting coach of Mumbai Indians.
The 35-year-old clinched five IPL titles and two Champions League trophies in his stint with the side.
The West Indian has been a talismanic figure within the Mumbai setup, playing 189 matches, scoring 3412 runs and also scalping 69 wickets.
Published on Nov 30, 2025
