5 players who retired after going unsold or not being retained in IPL

Andre Russell

Andre Russell, a Kolkata Knight Riders legend, decided to retire from the cash-rich tournament after not being retained ahead of the 2026 season on November 30, 2025. Russell announced he would be joining KKR’s support staff as a power coach, citing that he does not wish to see himself donning any other team's jersey in the mega tournament.

Russell was part of KKR’s title-winning teams in 2014 and 2024 and was the IPL’s Most Valuable Player in 2019. Earlier, he retired from international cricket in July 2025, focusing on T20s after the 2019 World Cup. He was retained by KKR ahead of the 2025 mega-auction for INR 12 crore and in 133 IPL appearances for KKR, the right-handed batter scored 2,593 runs with 12 fifties at a strike rate of 174.96. The veteran now plans to channel his expertise off the field.