Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have decided to retire jersey number 12 as a tribute to the legendary all-rounder Andre Russell, known as the Eternal Knight, for his exceptional service to the team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The announcement was made at the Knights Unplugged 3.0 preseason event.
Andre Russell, who is returning to KKR as a ‘power coach,’ had a remarkable 12-year stint with the team from 2014 to 2025. He played a pivotal role in KKR’s two IPL title wins in 2014 and 2024, standing out with his distinctive style and impressive performances.
During his time with KKR, Russell featured in 140 IPL matches, scoring 2,651 runs at a strike rate of 174.17 and taking 123 wickets. He is among the few all-rounders in IPL history to achieve over 2000 runs and 100 wickets. Russell was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2019 for his outstanding performance, scoring 510 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 204.81.
Andre Russell holds the record for the best bowling figures by a KKR bowler in IPL history, claiming 5 for 15 against the Mumbai Indians in 2021. With 122 wickets for KKR, he ranks as the second-highest wicket-taker for the franchise, behind Sunil Narine (192 wickets).
Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders, expressed gratitude towards Russell, highlighting his significant contributions to the team. Russell, emotionally reflecting on his time with KKR, expressed his appreciation for the franchise and the special moments shared during his successful journey.
