Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Andre Russell has identified the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) as the toughest side he faced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after confirming his retirement from the tournament. The Caribbean powerhouse was released by KKR ahead of the 2026 Auction and has now transitioned into the support staff as the franchise’s new Power Coach.
Russell has notably struggled against MI throughout his IPL career, averaging just 18.57 with the bat in 19 appearances, his lowest batting average against any team he has played at least 10 times. Eight of his 16 innings versus Mumbai have ended in single digits, including a golden duck in the 2019 season.
His bowling record against MI has been more respectable, with 19 wickets at an average of 24.68 and an economy rate of 9.67.
“I enjoy playing against most teams. There will always be challenges, but this particular team – Mumbai Indians – always gives us a fight, whether they come to Kolkata or when we go to the Wankhede. We know that, okay, we’re going into that ring,” Andre Russell told Cricbuzz.
Andre Russell names Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler he has faced in the IPL
He further mentioned that Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah is the toughest bowler he has encountered in the IPL.
“One of the most challenging bowlers that I’ve always come up against is Jasprit Bumrah. As soon as I come in to bat, most of the time they give him the ball. He has got me out a few times but I have also enjoyed hitting him for a few boundaries.”
“I love those challenges where I’m not going to say, “I’m going to just bat him out or not take him on.” I like to take on challenges. He’s one of the best in the world right now – maybe the best T20 bowler, or the best T20 fast bowler. So that challenge was always special,” Russell added.
Andre Russell has fallen to Jasprit Bumrah on four occasions in the IPL, with the first dismissal taking place during the 2018 season at the Wankhede Stadium. The Mumbai Indians speedster also removed him twice in the 2020 edition. Overall, Russell has scored 57 runs from 45 balls against Bumrah, striking at 126.66 and hitting two sixes in their head-to-head contests.
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