KKR CEO Venky Mysore makes huge revelation about Shah Rukh Khan’s function in Andre Russell’s retirement forward of IPL 2026 public sale

Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has revealed the franchise’s co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan, performed a vital function behind star all-rounder Andre Russell’s retirement. Mysore disclosed that it was the Bollywood celebrity’s suggestion to nominate the Jamaican because the staff’s energy coach forward of IPL 2026.

One of many first-choice names of their taking part in XI, the franchise had shockingly launched Russell forward of the public sale. Having joined the Knight Riders in 2014, he was their second-highest run-getter and was named the Most Useful Participant of the Yr twice. Then, as one factor led to a different, on November 30, he was appointed as KKR’s energy coach for IPL 2026.

When requested who recommended the seam-bowling all-rounder retire altogether and be part of their teaching employees, the 66-year-old mentioned SRK was behind it, at the same time as Russell contemplated retiring from the league himself. Mysore additionally asserted that the West Indian was now taking part in within the different leagues with none strain in his thoughts.

Talking to ESPN Cricinfo, he mentioned:

“I may see he was agonising over it, and, so after I shared this with SRK [Shah Rukh Khan], it was truly SRK’s suggestion. As a result of, see, a participant is considering someplace behind his thoughts, what occurs after I hold up my boots?

“However I do not assume they need to give it some thought additionally a lot as a result of skilled athletes are like that. They consider I am nonetheless good, and Dre nonetheless is – he’s unbelievable and taking part in different leagues. It simply felt like he was very free in his thoughts after making the retirement resolution. As a result of the man took a few catches [in ILT20], is sliding and diving and throwing.”

The 37-year-old is at present taking part in within the Worldwide League T20 (ILT20) within the UAE and beforehand featured within the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

“It was virtually a spur of the second thought” – Venky Mysore on concept of energy coach function for Andre Russell

When requested the way it struck them to nominate Russell as the facility coach, Mysore mentioned it was the very picture of the Jamaican strolling out to unleash some huge photographs that prompted it. He added:

“It was virtually a spur of the second thought. We had been speaking what function he may greatest do and I mentioned: what are you greatest identified for? It’s your means to come back in and end video games with only a few balls left and go from ball one. The picture of him when he walks in itself is like, oh my God, right here he comes. There’s going to be some energy hitting now. I mentioned to him: “what are you able to assist us, assist the staff essentially the most with is all of your expertise and abilities. Whenever you carry them collectively, it is all about energy, each factor that you simply did.” So I mentioned, “we are going to name you energy coach.”

Having launched a handful of high-profile gamers, KKR have an obtainable purse of ₹64.03 crore for IPL 2026 public sale. They’ve appointed Abhishek Nayar as the pinnacle coach after Chandrakant Pandit’s departure.