KKR vs GT: KKR Cannot Be Dependent On Andre Russell All The Time - Parthiv Patel

Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel said Kolkata Knight Riders shouldn’t be too much dependent on West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell to win them matches. On Saturday, KKR lost to Gujarat Titans by eight runs at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Russell’s all-round brilliance went in vain as KKR suffered its fourth straight defeat in the IPL 2022. In the Gujarat Titans innings, Russell became the first bowler to pick four wickets in the IPL, he snapped four wickets for five runs in the final over as Hardik Pandya & co were restricted at 156/9.

KKR cannot be dependent on Andre Russell all the time: Parthiv Patel

Russell kept the big shots coming off his blade even though wickets kept tumbling at the other end. The KKR all-rounder scored 25-ball 48, including six sixes and a boundary. However, Russell couldn’t take his side over the finishing line as he top-edged while attempting to pull Alzarri Joseph’s short bouncer to Lockie Ferguson at fine leg.

Parthiv said it will be difficult for KKR if they completely depend on Russell’s power-hitting skills.

“KKR cannot be dependent on Andre Russell all the time. It is going to be very difficult if you are depending on your number 7 to fire even when you are chasing such a total,” Parthiv said on Cricbuzz. 

Andre Russell’s runs for KKR in IPL

Russell has been with the two-time IPL champions since IPL 2015 and has more often played the role of a finisher with his power-hitting skills. The 33-year-old aggregates 1869 runs in 73 innings at 31.68 and a strike rate of 180.06. Russell’s memorable season was IPL 2019 where he amassed 510 runs in 13 innings at a staggering strike rate of 204.82.

Coming to IPL 2022, Russell took a toll on Punjab Kings bowlers with an unbeaten 31-ball 70, including two fours and eight sixes, to power KKR to a six-wicket win with 33 balls to spare.

There was a different case while KKR were chasing 218 against Rajasthan Royals, Russell was cleaned up by Ravichandran Ashwin for a golden duck. Despite Shreyas Iyer’s daunting 85, KKR fell seven runs short in the game.

Also Read: KKR vs GT: Watch – Lockie Ferguson Takes A Brilliant Catch At Boundary To Send Back Andre Russell To Seal The Match For GT