Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar is calling on the younger players in the squad to step up and make their mark now that star all-rounder Andre Russell has retired. Russell has truly been a legend in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former West Indies all-rounder joined the three-time champions before their title-winning season in 2014, racking up an impressive 2,593 runs and taking 122 wickets during his time with the team. Despite the significant gap left by Russell, Nayar is optimistic, seeing it as a fantastic chance for younger talents to break free from Russell’s shadow and show what they can really do. "Andre Russell has been a flag-bearer of this franchise. So, over the years, what he's done in T20 cricket, I think it's going to be hard to replicate it. It's a season of opportunities. Yes, you had a few misses with the bowling,” Nayar was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo. Also Read | IPL Owners Face Setback As Big Bash League Privatization Plan Hits Roadblock KKR Look to Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Green to Fill Russell’s Void Nayar thinks that players like Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh could help fill the void left by Russell. Ramandeep, in particular, is a versatile bowler who can contribute with a few overs when needed. Russell announced his retirement just before the 2026 mini auction and has taken on a new role as KKR’s power coach. To fill his shoes, the 2024 champions made a big investment, signing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering INR 25.20 crore. The team, led by Ajinkya Rahane, will kick off their 2026 IPL season against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, March 29. The Kolkata franchise is hoping for a much-improved season compared to last year, where their title defense ended in a disappointing eighth place. With Andre Russell’s retirement, Kolkata Knight Riders are looking to revamp their lineup, counting on youngsters like Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh to rise to the occasion. With the addition of star signing Cameron Green and the guidance of coach Abhishek Nayar, KKR is aiming for a stronger performance in IPL 2026.