KKR Legend set to retire after IPL 2025? Varun Chakaravarthy drops massive update

Andre Russell was named Player of the Match on Sunday as KKR defeated RR by a single run in their IPL 2025 match in Kolkata. The match was settled in the final over, and KKR is still alive in the playoff chase. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals have already been eliminated from the playoff competition.

Russell was promoted up the ranks and began on a cautious tone. After scoring two runs off eight balls, he launched his attack in the 16th over, facing Akash Madhwal. He hammered him for two fours and one six.

Then, in the 17th over, he hit Jofra Archer for a six and four. In the 18th over, KKR scored 23 runs against Maheesh Theekshana, with Russell hitting three sixes in the last three balls.

Russell knew he had to continue his attack when Archer dismissed Angkrish Raghuvanshi with the first delivery of the 19th over, thus Rinku Singh was the new batter. Russell blasted Archer for a six in the fourth delivery, his first fifty of the season, followed by a four.

Rinku took over in the 20th over, smacking two sixes and a four to help KKR score 22 runs in a wide-ranging over. Rinku stayed undefeated, scoring 19* off six balls. Meanwhile, Russell was undefeated at 57* from 25 deliveries as KKR scored 206/4, setting a target of 207.

Chasing 207, RR came close but were held to 205/8 in a seesaw last over bowled by Vaibhav Arora.

Varun Chakaravarthy provides a major update on Andre Russell’s future.

Following the match, KKR spinner Varun Chakaravarthy provided an extensive retirement report on Russell, who is already 37 years old.

“As far as I’ve spoken to him and interacted with him, he still wants to play another two or three cycles of the IPL – which is easily six more years. He looks fine and fit. It doesn’t matter how old you are, as long as you’re contributing to the team. That’s the mindset. In franchise cricket, no one’s going to question that,” he said.

Whenever Russell has done well, KKR has at least made the playoffs. They are now in sixth place with five victories and five losses, with time running out for a top-four finish.