IPL 2019: Andre Russell Questions Kolkata Knight Riders' Tactics
Credits: IPL

Andre Russell, on Friday, nearly powered Kolkata Knight Riders to another miraculous win. The game had looked all but over for the Knight Riders with the way they started their chase of 213. A fifth IPL ton from Virat Kohli and a whirlwind 65-run knock from Moeen Ali had helped Royal Challengers Bangalore post a mammoth total. The Royal Challengers duo had gone berserk in the final five overs, helping the team smash 93 runs.

In reply, the Knight Riders were off to a disastrous start which eventually made the difference in the game as they lost a close contest. The two-time champions eventually fell short by just 10 runs. Knight Riders were reeling at 79 for 4 in 11.5 overs when Russell joined Rana in the middle. The two then launched a stunning counterassault to nearly stun Royal Challengers. Russell scored 65 from just 25 balls while Rana remained unbeaten on 85.

IPL 2019: Andre Russell Questions Kolkata Knight Riders' Tactics
Credits: IPL

Their fight, however, went in vain as the Knight Riders eventually ran out of deliveries and finished on 203 for 5.  Following the game, Andre Russell perhaps took a dig at the team-management by questioning his batting spot. The allrounder suggested that he should have batted higher up the order, instead of walking in with an asking rate of 16.53.

“Look, we were chasing 214 runs and weren’t in the best state when I went out to bat,” Andre Russell said after the match.

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“When Nitish (Rana) asked what I thought, I said ‘I bat one way – and that’s positive.’ (But) to go out there and chasing 14-15 per over, it’s not the best way you want to start as a batsman. I’m used to these situations, but why I say it’s a sweet and sour feeling is because we need to learn from this, as a team. We need to learn that we can get 214. And to lose by 10 runs, well, we were just two hits away.

“I believe that [I should bat higher up the order],” Russell added as he nearly made his intentions clear. “Honestly, you have to sometimes be flexible as a team. When you look at the make-up of our team, I don’t mind going to bat at No. 4.”

IPL 2019: Andre Russell Questions Kolkata Knight Riders' Tactics
Credits: IPL

The Knight Riders are now in danger of missing out on a playoff spot after slumping to their fifth defeat of the season and fourth in a row. The Knight Riders, who were on top of the points table not very long ago, are currently languishing at the sixth spot with 4 wins in 9 games.

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