Venky Mysore, the CEO of the Kolkata Knight Riders, revealed that although the team had lengthy talks with Andre Russell regarding a possible release prior to the IPL 2026 mini-auction, co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was the driving force behind the decision to withdraw from the competition and continue to be associated with KKR in a non-playing capacity.
Before the auction, Russell, who played with KKR for 12 seasons and became one of the team’s biggest match winners, was released. The Jamaican all-rounder shocked the cricket world by declaring his retirement from the IPL, despite many expecting the team to purchase him back or a bidding war from rival teams.
Speaking about his choice, Russell disclosed that a significant factor was the growing mental and physical demands of the T20 league, which is the most competitive in the globe. He acknowledged that it had been challenging to continue playing at his best for the duration of a season, which finally led him to quit IPL cricket.
“I saw that Russell was struggling with it, so when I told SRK about it, SRK suggested it.
Because, you see, a player is wondering, “What happens after I hang up my boots?” in the back of his mind. Mysore told ESPNCricinfo his thoughts.
But since professional athletes are like way, I don’t think they want to think about it too much. They think Dre and I are still terrific; he’s amazing and playing in different leagues,” he continued.
After the choice was made, Russell seemed quite calm and at ease with the call, the KKR CEO continued. Russell became one of Kolkata’s best players during his twelve seasons with the team. He won the IPL Most Valuable Player award in 2019, had a significant role in KKR’s championship runs in 2014 and 2024, and amassed an incredible 16 Player-of-the-Match awards while he was a member of the franchise.
After deciding to retire, he simply felt tremendously liberated in his thoughts. since the man made a few catches by diving, sliding, and tossing. Later I wrote to him, “What’s going on here, Dre? “Power Coach, how are you doing?” Mysore remarked, “I was teasing him.”
I believe he enjoys being referred to as a power coach, as everyone has begun to do. We are overjoyed. I believe he is quite content. He has come to terms with it and embraced it fully,” he continued.
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