End of an Era: The Heartwarming Reason KKR Just Retired Andre Russell’s Jersey
Kolkata, March 25, 2026 — In an emotional and historic move ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially retired the iconic jersey number 12.
The major announcement was made during a pre-tournament event organized by the three-time IPL champions in Kolkata, ensuring that no future player representing the franchise will ever don the number 12 jersey.
A Tribute to ‘Dre Russ’
The decision was taken to honor the unparalleled legacy and immense contributions of West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell. Russell, who proudly wore the number 12 for KKR from his signing in 2014 until his final season in 2025, has been the undisputed backbone of the franchise for over a decade.
Following his release ahead of this year’s mega-auction, Russell officially announced his retirement from the IPL as a player. However, he remains deeply connected to the Kolkata outfit and will take on the role of ‘Power Coach’ for the team starting with the 2026 campaign.
“We’ve had a long association with Andre Russell, not just with KKR but also on a personal level,” stated KKR CEO Venky Mysore during the event. “He always wore the number 12 proudly, and the number is so unique to Dre Russ, that we wanted to share a fitting tribute. So, in the Knight Riders tradition of starting a new legacy, we’d like to retire this number for KKR in his honour.”
Russell’s Unmatched IPL Legacy
For Russell, the bond with the franchise runs deep. Reflecting on his career, the powerhouse all-rounder once famously stated that winning the IPL with KKR felt even more special to him than lifting the T20 World Cup with the West Indies.
He leaves the playing roster as arguably KKR’s greatest-ever match-winner. Across 139 matches for the Kolkata-based franchise, Russell smashed 2,658 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 175.09 and claimed 124 wickets with the ball. These staggering statistics make him both the second-highest run-getter and the second-highest wicket-taker in the franchise’s entire history.
He was a pivotal part of the Gautam Gambhir-led squad that won the title in 2014 and played a monumental role in their long-awaited 2024 triumph under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer.
Joining an Exclusive Club
With this heartfelt tribute, KKR becomes only the second franchise in IPL history to formally retire a jersey number. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) previously set the precedent by retiring jersey numbers 17 and 333, honoring the legendary legacies of AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.
As the 2026 IPL season kicks off, the absence of the number 12 on the field will serve as a permanent reminder of the sheer power, passion, and loyalty Andre Russell brought to the Eden Gardens for over ten years.