The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder, Andre Russell is the kind of cricketer whose attitude, on his bad day, has often been questioned by the critics. Sometimes he is far too casual and he looks like he’s just not giving his 100%. On Sunday, during the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the Jamaican took his antics to a whole new level, though, as he outrightly refused to run Kyle Jamieson out.
Andre Russell has been bowling in the death overs for KKR and he showcased his death-bowling potential against Mumbai, taking a five-fer inside two overs. However, he had a forgettable outing against RCB, as Russell gave away 38 runs in his 2 overs, owing to an AB de Villiers onslaught, but he still managed to hog the headlines. In typical Russell fashion, though, the Big Jamaican did the most absurd thing imaginable to not just become the talk of the town, but it left a lot of fans a bit confused.
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Having been carted for 17 runs off the first 4 balls of the final over, Andre Russell landed an inch-perfect yorker on the fifth. The batsman, De Villiers, had it dig the ball out and he only managed to hit the ball back straight to the bowler. To RCB’s dismay, Jamieson had already come halfway down the track anticipating AB to hit the ball beyond the 30-yard circle, and so, with the ball in hand, Russell had the option of running out the non-striker. all he had to do was take a couple of steps forward and dislodge the bails.
However, to the utter shock of everyone at the stadium, Russell decided no to run Jamieson out. Russell, after collecting the ball, turned around, but despite Jamieson being in the middle of the wicket, turned down the opportunity to run the Kiwi out, looking disinterested.
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The run-out would have, of course, made no difference in the eventual outcome as AB dispatched the ball to the boundary anyway, but Russell’s actions triggered bizarre reactions from the fans.
Here is the video of the incident:
— Aditya Das (@lodulalit001) April 18, 2021
Here is how netizens reacted to Andre Russell deciding not to run-out the batsman:
Ohhh… #Russell must be upset thtz why he ignored tht run-out …
Russell : 12 balls 38 runs only #ABdeVilliers things ✌️@RCBTweets #WeAreChallengers— Inspiring Muslimah (@Ayesha_Speaks_) April 18, 2021
Russell. lol he didn't even tried to run out 🤣😂🤣
— Sanket (@Sanket_R_) April 18, 2021
19.5 : Russell could've run out Jamieson and even if he had missed the stumps, AB wouldn't have taken that one overthrow run. Only good for KKR had he taken that single and gotten off strike.
That's what lack of sleep did to Russell's brain.
— Akshay (@Kohlify) April 18, 2021
Is it time to bench Russell? No intent at all with stpping runs in field, no intnt to thrw the bowl to take possible run-out and bowling with a lazy run-up and let's keep aside his batting prformnce for last 2 season Does he thnk he's bttr for the game@KKRiders #KKR #AndreRussell
— Aniket Muppiri (@MuppiriAniket) April 18, 2021
