How Andre Russell Proved His Loyalty Just Like Kieron Pollard

Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard now have one thing in common in the IPL. They have both received similar endings to their IPL career but decided to start a new chapter. With Russell retiring from the IPL, he has now taken over the coaching role for Kolkata Knight Riders.

The overseas players could also show loyalty towards their IPL teams. This phrase is now proven to be true by Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard. First it was Pollard, who remained loyal to his franchise Mumbai Indians. He played for them in several seasons before finally in the IPL.

Still, he went on to continue with the team, but in a different manner. Pollard decided to take over the coaching role for Mumbai Indians, to be a part of the team's future successes. And a similar story of Pollard has now been narrated in the IPL once again. But this time, the character has been played by another West Indies player, Andre Russell.

1. Kieron Pollard’s Loyalty Towards MI

Kieron Pollard has been one of the most loved foreign players in the Indian Premier League. Ever since he started to play the Indian Premier League, Pollard was a part of Mumbai Indians only. He has seen the team lose its first ever finals of the tournament against Chennai Super Kings.

Kieron Pollard in IPL (Batting):

• Innings: 171
• Not Out: 52
• Runs: 3412
• Average: 28.67
• Strike Rate: 147.32
• 100s: 0
• 50s: 16

Later, Pollard was also a part of the team across all of the title wins which had been secured by them. He was also a part of Mumbai Indians when it won the IPL in 2020, getting its fifth title. At this time, Mumbai Indians came at the top of all the other IPL teams, getting the tag of the most successful team in the tournament.

Kieron Pollard in IPL (Bowling):

• Innings: 107
• Overs: 248
• Wickets: 69
• Average: 31.59
• Economy: 8.79
• Four-wicket Hauls: 1

Whether Mumbai Indians needed some contributions with the bat or ball, Pollard was always there. Due to this reason, he had been a prolific all-rounder for Mumbai Indians in the tournament history. Fans also remember the funny moments of Pollard in the tournament, which gave them some time which forever.

He was not able to give his best to the team in IPL 2022, as his performances dropped to a great extent. Following this, Pollard announced his retirement from the IPL in 2022, deciding not to continue in the tournament. But at the same time, he also decided in his IPL journey, which he did with Mumbai Indians only.

Since then, Kieron Pollard has been the batting coach of Mumbai Indians. Although Mumbai Indians is yet to win an IPL trophy since 2020, Pollard has been an active contributor for them with his coaching skills. The team also reached Qualifier 2 of the previous season, as they hunt for the sixth trophy.

2. Russell Repeats the Story

The story of Kieron Pollard has now been repeated by Andre Russell. Ever since he started to play in the Indian Premier League, he has been a part of Kolkata Knight Riders for more than a decade. Russell played just two seasons for Delhi Daredevils in the start, then he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2014.

Andre Russell in IPL (Batting):

• Innings: 115
• Not Out: 21
• Runs: 2651
• Average: 28.20
• Strike Rate: 174.17
• 50s: 12

And he proved to be lucky for Kolkata Knight Riders, helping them to win the IPL 2014. This was the team's second IPL title, and the first one having Russell in their line-up. His best for the team came back in IPL 2019, when he was able to score 510 runs for the team, at an average of 56.66, with four half-centuries.

Andre Russell in IPL (Bowling)

• Innings: 121
• Overs: 301
• Wickets: 123
• Average: 23.27
• Economy: 9.51
• Five-wicket Hauls: 2
• Four-wicket Hauls: 1

Russell was also a part of Kolkata Knight Riders when the team won its last IPL title back in 2024. In that season also, Russell was able to smash runs at a strike rate of 185, which made him a prolific finisher for the team. Not only was he a finisher for the team, he was also an active wicket-taker, with both bat and ball.

For the IPL 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders decided not to retain Andre Russell. This marked an end to his IPL career, as Russell went on to announce his retirement from the tournament, after being a part of Kolkata Knight Riders for almost a decade. But he has now taken over the role of a Power Coach for Kolkata Knight Riders, sticking with them even after retirement.