West Indies hard hitter Andre Russell has officially decided to stop playing for the Indian Premier League (IPL), igniting rumors about whether the legendary batter could now turn his attention toward the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The powerful all-rounder was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 IPL season. Soon after, Russell confirmed that he was retiring from IPL cricket but would remain associated with the franchise, this time as part of the support staff in the newly created role of “power coach”.
In a video message, Russell said, “I’ve decided to retire from the IPL. I’ll still be playing in leagues around the world and for all the other KKR teams.”
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Memorable Services for KKR
During his time at KKR, Russell lifted the IPL trophy twice, in 2014 and 2024, and collected 16 Player-of-the-Match awards, second only to teammate Sunil Narine. His explosive style made him one of the league’s most impactful overseas players.
The timing of his announcement has created a buzz among PSL fans, especially as it came shortly after Faf du Plessis revealed he would skip the IPL to feature in PSL 2026.
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Russell’s decision to continue playing in global T20 leagues has further fuelled the question: Is PSL his next stop?
Presently, Russell has not confirmed any plans to join the PSL, but his availability outside the IPL window has opened the door for franchise interest.
