IPL 2022: "Andre Russell Isn't Superman Who'll Come Through In Every Match" - Ravi Shastri Slams KKR

Ravi Shastri has pummeled the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) batting for relying a lot upon all-rounder Andre Russell, who he accepts has “done what he had to this season”. The former Team India coach firmly commented that Russell isn’t Superman who’ll protect the group in each game as others have to contribute also.

Shastri’s shots came in front of KKR’s match against the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday, 9 May. The 2-time champs have lost six of their last seven matches. They will head into the game on the rear of a gigantic 75-run defeat at the hands of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). In that match, notwithstanding Russel’s 45 (19), the whole batting setup oversaw only 56 runs.

Andre Russell Has Done What He Had To This Season: Ravi Shastri

In a meeting on ESPNcricinfo, Shastri was asked the way significant Russell is to the Knight Riders’ season playoff possibilities.

He replied: “He is very important although it seems difficult [they’ll make it to the qualifiers]. I believe Andre Russell has done what he had to this season. Other players should chip in as well.

“He isn’t Superman who’ll come through in every match. Others will have to do it. What Andre Russell had to deliver, he has already.”

One of the most dreaded all-rounders on the planet, Russell battled for consistency over the last two seasons. In 2022, he has amassed 272 runs at an average of 38.86 and a strike rate of 183.78. Regardless of that, the Shreyas Iyer-drove side is put a modest 9th in the points table with only four successes from 11 matches.

In any event, winning the leftover three matches will take them to 14 points where capability is reliant upon different outcomes and very improbable. All things considered, given the increase as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai, the Knight Riders are presently gazing at their second wooden-spoon finish in the IPL.

Ravi Shastri Surprised By Exclusion Of Pat Cummins

Shastri additionally said it was “beyond him” that Kolkata dropped Australian bowling all-rounder Pat Cummins after only four matches, one of which incorporated an amazing player of the match display against Mumbai at the MCA Stadium.

Shastri expressed that to put some tension off Russell, KKR ought to drop Aaron Finch and play Cummins instead of making a group of four lower-order all-rounders. He commented that except if the Aussie Test captain is not fit, “he should certainly play”. Shastri explained:

“Their top order hasn’t given consistent starts. If you see Shreyas Iyer’s season as well, he hasn’t been able to be as consistent and convert as many 20s and 30s to big scores as expected.

“Currently, all the pressure is coming on Russell in every game. How many matches will he win you by hitting those sixes? One man can’t do it alone.”

He added: “I am surprised that they are not playing Pat Cummins. It’s beyond me. I believe he should come straight after Russell. Sunil Narine is there, get him there as well. If you want to play Southee play him too! Southee, Cummins, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine; find others.

“How can you leave a player like Cummins out? He’s a top-class cricketer, the captain of Australia, and has the confidence. Unless he’s unfit, because that we don’t know, he should certainly play.”

The KKR vs MI contest will be played at the DY Patil Sports Academy, starting at 7:30 pm IST.

Also Read: IPL 2022: MS Dhoni ‘Eats’ His Bat Before Going On To Bat, Former Indian Spinner Reveals Reason Behind This Action