SRK’s Witty Tribute to Andre Russell’s IPL Retirement

Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, paid a heartfelt and humorous tribute to Andre Russell following his announcement to retire from the Indian Premier League. The three-time IPL champions released Russell ahead of the IPL 2026 auction scheduled for December 15 in Abu Dhabi, marking the end of an era for the franchise.

A Knight’s New Journey

Taking to X, SRK expressed his gratitude and excitement about Russell’s transition into a new chapter. He called Russell the “Knight in shining armour” and praised his forthcoming role as power coach. “Thank you for the wonderful memories, Andre. Your contribution to @KKRiders is one for the books… and here’s to another chapter in your fantastic journey as a sportsman,” SRK wrote, adding a witty remark: “Any other jersey would indeed look weird on you my man… Muscle Russell for life!”

Legacy and Statistics

Russell joined KKR in 2014 and established himself as one of the franchise’s most valuable players. He became the second-highest run-scorer with 2,658 runs in 139 games, including 13 half-centuries and an impressive strike rate of 175.09. His bowling prowess is equally noteworthy, with 124 wickets making him the second-highest wicket-taker for the team. Russell earned the MVP award in 2015 and 2019, cementing his legacy despite KKR’s disappointing 2025 season where they missed the playoffs.

Now as power coach, Russell will pass on his expertise to the next generation of KKR players. The franchise faces the challenge of filling his void but enters the IPL 2026 auction with the largest purse of Rs 64.30 crore.