Former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra has said that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell is yet to fire with his bat in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Russell has managed to score just 36 runs in the first three matches for KKR in this season despite him being in the XI for being the fieriest batter in T20 cricket. 

Speaking on his Youtube channel, Chopra said Russell’s bat hasn’t spoken at all this season, while heaping praise on KKR’s performances in IPL 2023. KKR beat defending champions Gujarat Titans after batter Rinku Singh smashed five sixes off the last five balls to win the game for his side.

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Explaining the same, Aakash Chopra said, “Kolkata is a team on a roll. It seems they are a team with problems. Andre Russell’s bat hasn’t spoken at all till now. It looks like something is lacking in batting but Rinku Singh comes one day, Venkatesh Iyer comes another day, and now Nitish Rana has also scored runs.”

He went on to shower praise on Venkatesh Iyer, saying he has batted well in two of the three games in IPL 2023, while adding that if Russell can score some runs, then the team’s stature will increase to a different level. Iyer scored a 40-ball 83 against GT in Ahmedabad, and a 29-ball 35 against PBKS in their opening match.

Elaborating the same, Aakash Chopra said, “Venky Iyer has batted well, played very well in two games. His batting order has been moved slightly up and down. He might continue to bat at No. 3, could open, or get pushed to No. 4. If Russell scores runs, the team’s stature will suddenly grow even further.”

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After registering a historic win against the defending champions, KKR will be locking horns with SunRisers Hyderabad, with the two sides set to lock horns at Eden Gardens. KKR is currently placed fourth in the IPL 2023 points table, with four points, while SRH occupies the ninth spot, having won just one game in their three matches.