Andre Russell eases into new life as KKR power coach: I teach people how to hit sixes
IPL 2026: After years of starring for the Kolkata Knight Riders with both bat and ball, Andre Russell is now settling into a new chapter as the power coach of the three-time champions.
Andre Russell has long been known as one of the most destructive hitters in T20 cricket, capable of clearing the ropes at will and dismantling bowling attacks with ease. But in 2026, Russell has taken on a different challenge - teaching others how to do the same.
After an incredible journey with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as one of their key all-rounders, the West Indian is now easing into a new chapter as the power coach of the three-time champions.
“I teach people how to hit sixes,” Russell said in a video shared by KKR, neatly summing up his new role. It is a line only Russell could deliver, having embodied KKR’s brute force for more than a decade.
And by all accounts, the 37-year-old is enjoying the transition. Russell said his mindset has not changed, adding that the role is about giving back to the same group of players he has shared the dressing room with over the years.
“I don’t think it has affected my mindset. It is more about coming and giving back to all the guys I have played with and against,” Russell said.
ANDRE RUSSELL’S INCREDIBLE KKR CAREER
Across his IPL career, Russell played 140 matches, scoring 2,651 runs at a staggering strike rate of 174.17, the highest among batters with more than 1,500 runs in the tournament while also picking up 123 wickets.
For KKR, he featured in 133 matches, claimed 122 wickets, and became only the second player in franchise history after Sunil Narine to cross the 100-wicket mark. He also won 16 Player-of-the-Match awards in KKR colours, second only to Narine, underlining just how often he turned games single-handedly.
Russell’s IPL journey came to an end in late 2025 after KKR released him ahead of the 2026 auction, a decision that stunned fans across the league. Retained for INR 12 crore before the 2025 mega auction, the all-rounder was let go in November 2025, a move that added INR 18 crore back to KKR’s purse under the retention formula.
Russell subsequently chose not to enter the auction, effectively bringing the curtain down on his IPL career before smoothly transitioning into KKR’s support staff.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Andre Russell has long been known as one of the most destructive hitters in T20 cricket, capable of clearing the ropes at will and dismantling bowling attacks with ease. But in 2026, Russell has taken on a different challenge - teaching others how to do the same.
After an incredible journey with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as one of their key all-rounders, the West Indian is now easing into a new chapter as the power coach of the three-time champions.
“I teach people how to hit sixes,” Russell said in a video shared by KKR, neatly summing up his new role. It is a line only Russell could deliver, having embodied KKR’s brute force for more than a decade.
And by all accounts, the 37-year-old is enjoying the transition. Russell said his mindset has not changed, adding that the role is about giving back to the same group of players he has shared the dressing room with over the years.
“I don’t think it has affected my mindset. It is more about coming and giving back to all the guys I have played with and against,” Russell said.
ANDRE RUSSELL’S INCREDIBLE KKR CAREER
Across his IPL career, Russell played 140 matches, scoring 2,651 runs at a staggering strike rate of 174.17, the highest among batters with more than 1,500 runs in the tournament while also picking up 123 wickets.
For KKR, he featured in 133 matches, claimed 122 wickets, and became only the second player in franchise history after Sunil Narine to cross the 100-wicket mark. He also won 16 Player-of-the-Match awards in KKR colours, second only to Narine, underlining just how often he turned games single-handedly.
Russell’s IPL journey came to an end in late 2025 after KKR released him ahead of the 2026 auction, a decision that stunned fans across the league. Retained for INR 12 crore before the 2025 mega auction, the all-rounder was let go in November 2025, a move that added INR 18 crore back to KKR’s purse under the retention formula.
Russell subsequently chose not to enter the auction, effectively bringing the curtain down on his IPL career before smoothly transitioning into KKR’s support staff.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
