Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost a low scoring thriller against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on March 30, where they were dismissed for only 128 runs but somehow managed to make a match out of that score. Bangalore eventually won the game by three wickets in the final over of the game.
It was a day for the bowlers as almost all the batters struggled to score runs. Both pacers and spinners had a great outing as 17 wickets fell during the match. However, a worrying factor for the Knight Riders would be the bowling of their West Indian all-rounder, Andre Russell.
Russell was the highest run-scorer for the Knights with 25 runs off 18 balls. However, the Jamaican had a terrible outing with the ball as he was hit for 36 runs in the 2.2 overs he bowled. Such numbers can be the match-defining factor in a very low scoring match. The all-rounder had a bay day in the previous outing when he was hit for 38 runs in his four overs.
Former New Zealand bowler Simon Doull shared his take on Russell's injury concerns. "I know everybody is worried as soon as Andre Russell dives, but you can't play the game like that. If they're worried about it, don't play him. Or don't bowl him at all. Just tell Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana that you two are going to be our fifth bowlers," said Doull in conversation with Cricbuzz.
KKR may have to take a call soon cause Russell is a monster in T20s, even if played just as a batter.
If the two-time IPL champions try to push him that extra mile, Russell could suffer from another injury and be ruled out of the season, as has previously happened.
"He's just struggling with the ball. And his body has such an enormous muscles. He might be truly over 105-108 kilos; just that enormous mass going through that stress from time to time is not easy. He is an injury waiting to happen, which is a shame because I love watching all of his trades," Doull concluded.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, Kolkata have won one out of the two games they have played this season. Their upcoming clash will be with the Punjab Kings on April 1 at the Wankhade stadium.