Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made an important call: they’ve decided to retire jersey number 12 as a tribute to the legendary all-rounder Andre Russell, the veteran West Indian, who has turn out to be an Everlasting Knight for his service to the Indian Premier League (IPL) side.
Nevertheless, Kolkata Knight Riders, the three-time champions, made the special announcement at their preseason event – Knights Unplugged 3.0 – on Tuesday evening as well. Andre Russell, who has returned to the KKR setup as a ‘power coach’ before the brand new season, had a shocking 12-year tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders, representing the side within the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2014 to 2025.
Notably, Andre Russell played 140 IPL matches for KKR, scoring 2,651 runs, which got here at a strike rate of 174.17 and claiming 123 wickets. He is barely the second all-rounder within the IPL to attain greater than 2000 runs and take 100 wickets. His stunning performances also earned him the Most Helpful Player (MVP) of the tournament in 2019, where he smashed 510 runs at a tremendous strike rate of 204.81 and a mean of 56.66.
Jersey no. 12 in Purple & Gold will all the time be yours DRE RUSS 💪💜 pic.twitter.com/LuK0aIJ5zl
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2026
Nevertheless, he also holds the perfect bowling figures for a KKR bowler in IPL history, registering 5 for 15 against the Mumbai Indians in 2021 as well. His 122 wickets for KKR make him the second-most successful bowler of their history, only second to Sunil Narine (192 wickets) as well.
Speaking on this, Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer, Kolkata Knight Riders, said, “We’ve had a protracted association with Andre Russell, not only with KKR but additionally on a private level. On the sphere, he has given us so many reasons to have fun his performances through the years. He all the time wore the number 12 proudly, and the number is so unique to Dre Russ that we desired to share a fitting tribute. So, within the Knight Riders tradition of beginning a latest legacy, we’d wish to retire this number for KKR in his honour.”
Sharing his thoughts, an emotional Andre Russell said, “It has been over a decade of fantastic achievements with this franchise, and I got a bit emotional watching the video. To be an element of two championship-winning teams with KKR, and to see what it means to everyone, that’s a tremendous feeling. While you win a World Cup, that feels special, but while you win the IPL, it’s something different. I just need to say because of this franchise for making this journey so special for me.”
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