Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell was left quite disappointed at the end of his team's IPL 2019 match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Friday (April 19). Russell questioned the merit of KKR sending him lower-down the order in a very stiff run-chase of 214 runs despite his immaculate form and dangerous power-hitting abilities with the bat. The home team eventually lost the encounter at Eden Gardens by 10 runs.
Aware of a demanding required run-rate, KKR attacked from the word go, but lost three early wickets in the process and were tottering at 33/3 inside the first five overs. That's where Russell had to walk in to help the team's situation and take the game back to RCB bowlers, and yet KKR decided to send in anchor Robin Uthappa, who then scored only nine runs off the 20 deliveries he faced to further complex the issue.
When Russell finally came in, the hosts needed 135 runs off only 49 balls, but the strong Jamaican maverick kept his team in the game with another outstanding innings of 65 runs in just 25 balls, including nine maximums and two fours.
"To lose by 10 runs, it’s just two hits away. In the middle period, if we scored a bit faster we would definitely get the runs with even balls the spare," he said at the post-match press conference.
Russell got able support from Nitish Rana, who played an unbeaten knock of 85 runs from 46 balls, in a sixth-wicket partnership of 118 runs. But the duo couldn't fully resurrect the overall mess KKR's innings was in and eventually failed at the humongous task.
"Well batted to Nitish, but this is something that we definitely are disappointed and that’s why I have a sweet-and-sour feeling," added Russell, who when asked whether he should have batted at No 4, made a "no-comment" gesture by putting his finger on the lips, before finally urging the team management to be more "flexible" in its approach.
"I believe that (I should have batted at No 4)... Honestly, I think sometimes you have to be flexible as a team," he stressed. "Looking at the make-up of our team, I would not mind going to bat at No 4. When I am at the crease, Virat Kohli is going to bowl his best bowlers to get me out. And those best bowlers will have less overs remaining in the back end."
“So even if I score 60 off 25 balls, and give the team that the early pump then bowlers like Dale Steyn will have only one over left at the death, or they may bowl out. I think me going to bat early would definitely be a good thing for KKR. But with our make-up of the team, that’s a good answer."
(Inputs from PTI)
