Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a three-time Indian Premier League champion, made a special announcement at the Knights Unplugged 3.0 event. They revealed that they will be retiring jersey No. 12 in honor of the talented Caribbean all-rounder, Andre Russell.
Russell, who had previously played for KKR and was a crucial part of their title-winning campaigns in 2014 and 2024, had decided to retire from his IPL playing career ahead of the 2025 season. Following a disappointing season in 2025, KKR released him, but then named him as their ‘power coach’ for the upcoming season.
Having made 133 appearances for KKR, Russell was a fan favorite and had been retained before the mega auction in 2025 for a substantial Rs. 12 crore. His contributions to the team were significant, and his jersey retirement is a fitting tribute to his time with the franchise.
Additionally, at the same event, Rinku Singh was announced as the new vice-captain of the team, further solidifying the leadership structure within the squad.
The news of Russell’s jersey retirement and Singh’s promotion comes as a bittersweet moment for KKR fans, who will always remember the impact that Russell had on the team during his time with the franchise.
The announcement was made on March 24, 2026, marking a significant moment in KKR’s history as they pay tribute to one of their most beloved players.
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