Overview
- Released ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Russell chose to end his IPL playing career rather than re-enter the bidding and confirmed he will not register for the sale.
- KKR appointed him as their inaugural power coach, a role framed around transferring his power-hitting intensity, with Shah Rukh Khan publicly championing the brief.
- KKR CEO Venky Mysore said Khan suggested the retire-and-coach pathway, adding that Russell looked mentally freer after making the call.
- Russell emphasized legacy in explaining his timing, saying he preferred to exit before fading and citing examples like Usain Bolt and AB de Villiers.
- He will keep playing in other T20 leagues; his IPL ledger closes at 140 matches, 2,651 runs at a 174.18 strike rate, 123 wickets, MVP awards in 2015 and 2019, and titles with KKR in 2014 and 2024.