The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is across the nook. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosted the Knights Unplugged 3.0 occasion in Kolkata, the place they launched the entire KKR workforce and training workers formally to the followers and introduced the captain within the type of Ajinkya Rahane and vice-captain Rinku Singh for the upcoming version of the IPL.
KKR administration additionally gave felicitation to the previous Knight Andre Russell, who retired from the IPL after the administration launched him throughout the mini-auction final yr. Russell was the a part of the KKR since 2014 and has gained two trophies with the franchise. He has been added as the facility coach for the upcoming season for KKR.
KKR retires Andre Russell’s quantity 12 jersey
The Purple and Gold facet have now honoured Andre Russell as they’ve retired the quantity 12 jersey to respect the legacy of the West Indies all-rounder. The newly appointed energy coach landed in Kolkata late at night time and joined the facet for the occasion.
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Andre Russell has been part of the KKR household for almost 12 years. He gained the IPL in his first season with the franchise and in a while in 2024. The Caribbean powerhouse has been a match-winner for the facet through the years and gained the Most Useful Participant (MVP) award twice again in 2015 and 2019 for his distinctive all-round performances.
The 37-year-old made 133 appearances for KKR, scoring 2651 runs with a strike price of 174.18. Russell has proved his value every time for the franchise with highly effective batting and bowling performances prior to now. Nonetheless, with age catching up, he didn’t ship the identical within the final season, scoring simply 167 runs and his common additionally dipped to 18.56.
We want to retire this number- Venky Mysore
“In your honour, we want to retire this quantity for KKR,” KKR CEO Venky Mysore introduced, a declaration that ensures no different Knight will ever put on the quantity that Russell became an emblem of concern for bowlers worldwide.
KKR RETIRING NUMBER 12 JERSEY FOR ANDRE RUSSELL 🥹
– A Standing Ovation for the Iconic second. pic.twitter.com/50Otzi2y1c
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 24, 2026
Through the occasion, a video was performed of his decade-long journey with the franchise, and he received emotional after watching the video. “I received a bit emotional watching that video,” Russell admitted to the cheering crowd.
I performed prefer it was the final game- Andre Russell
“It has been over a decade of wonderful achievements, having been a part of two title-winning groups. To see what it meant to everybody… that is a special enjoyment. World Cups really feel particular. If you win the IPL, it is one thing completely different. The final one we gained, I received teary-eyed.”
“When you could have left every thing on the sphere, you do not remorse strolling away from the sport. Each recreation I performed, I performed prefer it was the final recreation of my IPL profession”, he mentioned.
“I’ve no regrets about being on this position. I’m excited,” Andre Russell mentioned. “Now we have one of many youngest and really gifted teaching workers. I’d like to be part of a training workers like this. It makes my job simpler. I hope no matter information I deliver to the desk could make their job simpler.”
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