IPL 2021: Dale Steyn Reckons Andre Russell Should Be Promoted In The KKR Batting Order

South African veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn has reckoned that all-rounder Andre Russell must be pushed up the order for the Kolkata Knight Riders to make full use of him. Andre Russell broke the shackles in the last game and he almost got the team with a brilliant 54 of 22 deliveries. He smashes six maximums and three fours in a chase of 220 against the Chennai Super Kings.

Russell came into the crease when KKR were stuttering at 31 for five wickets and he formed a crucial partnership with the likes of former captain Dinesh Karthik. He showed a brutal attack on the bowlers and CSK did take a big breather once he was dismissed. Russell’s striking changed the tempo of the game and it becomes very difficult when he is on a song.

Dale Steyn Suggests KKR To Push Russell Up The Order

Andre Russell played an unbelievable knock in the last game and almost pulled off a stunner. Dale Steyn told that Russell will be difficult to stop if gets going on the Wankhede pitch which is a belter to bat on. He wanted Russell to come up in the batting order to have more impact on the game rather than coming in at 7 like in the previous game which is too low for him.

“We saw what Russell could do the other day. Especially at Wankhede, when he gets going, he is so difficult to stop. Pat Cummins who is not known for his batting but can hit a long ball was also phenomenal are we gonna say use Pat earlier? Probably not.”

“But Russell on the other hand who we have seen do this for the season after season, we wanna see him do this more regularly and for a little bit longer period. Get him in as early as possible as you can. I wouldn’t say in the 6th over, but smartly you can get him in earlier.” Dale Steyn told to ESPNCricinfo.

Russell’s Form A Big Plus For KKR

KKR has so far lost three games and has won one game to sit at the seventh position on the table. Despite their loss to CSK in the previous game, they had a lot of positives and the most important will be Andre Russell getting into his groove. Dinesh Karthik also looked to have got his touch back while Pat Cummins almost took the game away from Chennai with a blistering half-century.

KKR needs to make sure that they start winning games as we approach halfway through the tournament. They will take on Rajasthan Royals in match 18 of IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 24.