KKR’s legendary all-rounder Andre Russell , known to the world as ‘Dre Russ’, surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The surprise was compounded when he announced that he would join the KKR coaching staff as a ‘Power Coach’ , saying he “didn’t want to be seen in any other jersey”. Russell answered Cricbuzz’s questions through the KKR media team.
Physical challenges and retirement at the right time
Russell admitted that playing the IPL is more physically demanding than other leagues.
Workload management: It has always been challenging for him to manage the number of matches, travel, and the duties of batting, bowling, catching, and fielding as an all-rounder. He has had to balance his recovery, practice sessions, and gym workload.
Emphasis on legacy: Speaking about the timing of his retirement, Russell said he made the decision to leave a legacy behind. He said it was better to retire at a point where people ask, ” Why? ” rather than when people say, “You should have retired three or four years ago.”
The hallmark of an all-rounder: A balance between batting and bowling
Russell clarified that he never considered playing solely as a batsman.
“My batting complements my bowling and my bowling complements my batting.”
He was keen to bowl at least two overs in every match, as he felt that good bowling automatically improved his batting performance.
Four memorable IPL moments
Of his 12-season career, Russell named four moments as most notable:
First IPL Trophy in 2012: This win was very special for KKR.
Being part of the champion team in 2014: This was his journey with a winning franchise.
Five wickets against Mumbai Indians in 2021: This was a result of his precise execution while bowling at the end of the innings.
Stormy innings against RCB at Chinnaswamy (2019): Fans who were leaving the stadium during this innings came back after seeing the sixes.
Last trophy in 2024: It was an emotional achievement for him to contribute to the victory by taking three crucial wickets in the final.
Biggest challenge: Jasprit Bumrah
Russell enjoyed playing against most teams, but he described the rivalry against Mumbai Indians as always tough and memorable.
Toughest bowler: He considered Jasprit Bumrah to be the most challenging bowler. Russell said that as soon as he came out to bat, the ball was often handed to Bumrah. He called Bumrah one of the best T20 fast bowlers in the world currently and enjoyed the challenge.
The secret behind his record-breaking strike rate
Russell credited his special preparation for maintaining the best ball-per-six ratio and the highest strike rate of 174.17 among batsmen who have hit more than 50 sixes in the IPL.
Role-focused practice: Since he’s a finisher, he practices hitting sixes and fours off the very first ball. He aims to hit at least six sixes and four fours in his 18-ball innings.
The result: He said these stats are a result of the preparation and hard work he has put in both in the gym and off the field.
The importance of data and homework
Russell watched a lot of cricket before matches. He particularly focused on how bowlers performed under pressure after 10 overs , as this was the time when he was likely to come into bat. He focused on slower balls, which helped him formulate his batting strategy.
The untold story of commitment
Recalling an incident, Russell mentioned a match he considers an underrated performance. After missing a long flight and arriving in India the next morning, he decided to play despite jet lag. He took three wickets and scored over 60 runs in that match . He said that taking the field after such a long flight showed his commitment.
New role of ‘Power Coach’
Russell is excited about his new responsibility.
Justification of the name: Upon hearing the name ‘Power Coach’ from KKR CEO Venky Mysore, he felt that the name perfectly reflects his batting prowess and his energy on the field.
Contribution: He will work closely with coaching staff members like Abhishek Nayar, Shane Watson, and DJ Bravo. He will be available to assist in any department, be it gym or fitness, and will impart his experience to the players.
