After having started with four consecutive wins, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost their next six games in the ongoing season of Indian Premier League (IPL) and currently at the sixth position in the point table. However, Andre Russell has been performing every time the team needs him- be it for winning cause or loosing and everyone thinks he needs to bat up in the order to avoid the middle-order collapse as their middle-order has not been performing up to the mark.
However, the coach of Kolkata, Jacques Kallis said on Tuesday that Andre Russell can come up in the order if the situation demands.
“It certainly hadn’t been one of our plans but if the situation arises then it’s something we’ll think of. It’s a matter of what the team needs in such a situation and what the captain and management come up with, and we feel where each player is suited to play. But like I said, if a situation arises where Andre or someone else can come up the order, we’ve got to perhaps try one or two things a little differently,” ESPN Cricinfo quoted Kallis as saying.
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Russell has been in a formidable form in the ongoing season of IPL where he has amassed 392 runs with the strike rate of 217.77 and at an average of 65.33, despite being their six consecutive loss. After the loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team management decided to send some of their players to a break prior to their next game; which the team management thought would be beneficial for the team.
“We felt that the guys needed a break. They were given the freedom to do what they want for the next couple of days. It has been a disappointing couple of games for us, so we thought that guys can go away and do what they want. They could go home if they wanted to, and some guys felt they wanted to get a little practice which they couldn’t get here, so they went to Mumbai. Our practices here are optional, so it’s just about getting guys refreshed and mentally up for the game,” Kallis said.
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The KKR coach further said that the players are frustrated with the results as they are unable to finish the game for winning causes.
“I think they are frustrated, but I wouldn’t say they are negative. They do realise we’ve still got a chance of qualifying. We’ve just got to play some good cricket. I’ve said all along that in this format, it’s the little percentages you need to improve to turn things around and we’re not far off. We just need to do the little things a little bit better,” Kallis said.
“The frustrating part of this season has been not taking wickets and if you don’t take wickets upfront you are under pressure for the whole innings,” Kallis added.
“I think we’ve probably taken 20-21 wickets in ten games, which has put us under a lot of pressure. Yes, your bowling unit is going to be under pressure, you can’t quite be as attacking, you almost have to be defensive when there are wickets in hand. So yeah, the key for us is taking more wickets upfront, and making life a little easier in the middle and end period,” he further added.
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Kolkata Knight Riders will play their next game on Rajasthan Royals on April 25 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
