Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just a week away as teams gear up for the biggest event in T20 cricket that will last for almost two and a half months. Ahead of the IPL, three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) held a press conference on Friday ahead of their first intra-squad practice match.
The coaching staff and captain were present in the press conference and answered questions. Head coach Abhishek Nair, mentor Dwayne Bravo, assistant coach Shane Watson and captain Ajinkya Rahane. Two other coaches were absent from the press conference: bowling coach Tim Southee and power coach Andre Russell.
Andre Russell has not joined KKR
Ahead of the IPL mini-auction, Andre Russell was released by the KKR management, which came as a shock to many fans, as the Caribbean all-rounder has been associated with the franchise since 2014. He won two IPL titles with the Knights in 2014 and 2024. However, after the release, Andre Russell also retired from IPL.
The Jamaican big man joins the franchise as the power coach, as the coaching manual is the newest addition. As mentioned earlier, neither team has had any type of power coach.
His value addition to the franchise in the new role will be crucial, as over the years, everyone is aware of the threat that Andre Russell used to be during his prime. The head coach was asked who was going to replace Andre Russell in the team.
New role for Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh
Addressing Russell’s absence in the final role, the KKR head coach backed India’s two batsmen to step up and fill the void left by the West Indies star. “Andre Russell has been the flag bearer for this franchise for many years. It will be difficult to replicate what he has done over the years in T20 cricket,” Nair said.
Abhishek Nair told that in the absence of Andre Russell, Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh will play the role of finishers. The former player has also been delivering match-winning performances for India and has been an integral part of the KKR setup. Ramandeep will have to take more responsibility as a senior player this season.
We want our players to be honest- Abhishek Nair
Nair further added, “However, this is the season of opportunities. We have Rinku and Ramandeep who can step up and do something for the franchise, as they have done in the past. There is pressure when playing in the IPL but we want our players to stay true to their potential and make a name for themselves.”
“We have a lot of young cricketers in our setup who can cement their names in the legacy of the franchise. Rinku has taken up this responsibility for India and KKR, and Ramandeep also did it for us in the season when we won the championship. So, we hope they can repeat those performances and create something special for this franchise.”
KKR will miss Andre Russell’s havoc
Russell won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award twice for the franchise in 2015 and 2019. He spent a remarkable 12-year stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, establishing himself as one of the most devastating all-rounders in IPL history.
Russell played 133 matches for KKR and scored 2593 runs with an excellent strike rate of 174-175. Russell batted largely in the lower middle order, hitting over 220 sixes and 183 fours, while finishing the game with brilliant cameos.
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