IPL 2020: Gautam Gambhir Expects KKR To Be More Flexible With Their Batting Line-Up

Former Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Gautam Gambhir has advised for the side to be flexible in the upcoming edition of the IPL. Gautam Gambhir said it, keeping in mind the great run of form enjoyed by the likes of Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell. Gambhir was integral to KKR’s success during his playing days, guiding them to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.

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KKR retained Andre Russell while snapped English limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan’s services, both of who bat in the middle order. Andre Russell is a fearsome striker of the ball, having won the player of the tournament award last year and boasts of a strike rate of 186.

On the other hand, Eoin Morgan is not only one of the best limited-overs batsmen but also brings in a wealth of experience as a leader. He would undoubtedly prove useful for Dinesh Karthik.

Gautam Gambhir noted Andre Russell’s form in the CPL 2020 for Jamaica Tallawahs and stated if someone is in such nick, it would be interesting to see how the team utilizes him. He added that with Eoin Morgan in the mix as well and being in great touch, the team could afford to be flexible.

“If someone goes in such big-hitting form to the IPL, I want to see how KKR uses him. Because now they have Eoin Morgan as well, who is in great form. So if you have two such international players, who are in great hitting form, left-handed and right-handed, then you can be a little flexible,” Gautam Gambhir said in a Star Sports’ show.

Gambhir continued saying that KKR should not send Andre Russell below number five with the kind of form he is in. According to the 38-year-old, batting position should not matter and instead, the overs should since six balls could turn the game in T20 cricket.

“So, KKR should not send Andre Russell below No.5 in the batting order considering the form he is in. And the number should not matter, the overs should matter. Batting position is an overrated thing, six balls can change the entire match in T20 cricket,” the southpaw claimed.

There are might be two or three bowlers in the IPL who could trouble him: Gautam Gambhir

The cricketer-turned-politician further said that in case the team gets off to a brisk start, KKR can consider sending Russell even ahead of Morgan. Gambhir believes that the Jamaican could bat even at number four instead of sending much later.

“So at times it is possible, that you have got such a good start, that you can send Russell even ahead of Morgan. It is not necessary to send him after Morgan. You can send him at No.4 as well, it should be an over-oriented batting lineup rather than saying that you will not send him above No.5 or No.6,” the retired cricketer said.

Gautam Gambhir feels that there are not many bowlers, who could trouble the West Indian and named Jasprit Bumrah amongst those to bother Andre Russell.

“There are might be two or three bowlers in the IPL who could trouble him but not beyond that. I don’t see bowlers other than probably someone like Jasprit Bumrah who can actually trouble Andre Russell,” he added further.

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