West Indies star all-rounder Andre Russell has announced his retirement as a player from the Indian Premier League (IPL), just two weeks before the 2026 mini-auction. In response, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, penned a heartfelt tribute to his long-time player, confirming Russell’s transition into a new role with the franchise.
✨ SRK’s Tribute to the ‘Knight in Shining Armour’
Shah Rukh Khan replied to Russell’s retirement video on social media, thanking him for his immense contribution to KKR:
“Thank you for the wonderful memories, Andre. Our Knight in shining armour!!! Your contribution to @KKRiders is one for the books…”
🏏 Russell’s New Role: Power Coach
The Bollywood star also confirmed Russell’s new designation within the KKR setup, expressing confidence in the all-rounder’s ability to mentor younger players:
“And here’s to another chapter in your fantastic journey as a sportsman… The power coach – passing down the wisdom, the muscle and of course the power down to our boys in purple and gold… And yes, any other jersey would indeed look weird on you my man… Muscle Russell for life! Love u… on behalf of the team and everyone who loves the sport!!”
🗣️ Background of the Decision
Russell mentioned in his video that the decision to retire as a player and take on the new coaching role followed “numerous conversations” with KKR CEO Venky Mysore and owner Shah Rukh Khan.
This announcement comes days after KKR released Russell from his playing contract following a noticeable dip in his performance numbers in recent seasons. Despite this, Russell remains one of the most impactful and dynamic players in IPL history.
Shah Rukh Khan has been the co-owner of KKR since the league’s inception in 2008, alongside Juhi Chawla’s husband, Jay Mehta.