IPL 2021: Revealed - Here's Why Andre Russell Isn't Included In KKR Playing XI vs DC

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell hasn’t been included in the playing XI for their game against the Delhi Capitals (DC), on Tuesday afternoon in Sharjah. Captain Eoin Morgan announced that the West Indian has been replaced by Tim Southee, who makes his KKR debut.

Andre Russell sustained an injury while fielding during KKR’s previous match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. He limped off the field and didn’t return to complete his remaining over, which was then bowled by Prasidh Krishna; the youngster conceded 22 runs in the 19th over as CSK won the game by 2 wickets on the last ball.

After the loss versus CSK, speaking at the post-match conference, KKR mentor David Hussey had said that Andre Russell “felt something pop in his hamstring” the moment he got injured. Hussey hopes that the injury isn’t serious and that the all-rounder will be back soon on the field.

“It is still too early to tell. Russell said that he felt something pop in his hamstring so we have got the best medical staff in the business, they will look after him. Hopefully, nothing too serious with him because he is a key player for us. Hopefully, he comes back and lights up the tournament,” Hussey had said.

KKR currently sit in the middle of the table with 8 points. They had started off the UAE leg in an emphatic fashion with two victories before losing to CSK. Andre Russell snapped a brilliant three-wicket haul against RCB.

He has batted at a strike rate of 152.50 this season for his 183 runs. His all-round characteristics will be missed by KKR in the games he isn’t fit.

Eoin Morgan wins toss, elects to bowl vs DC

Morgan has won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Capitals. Krishna has also been dropped from the side after a forgettable outing against CSK. Sandeep Warrier is included in the eleven for his first game of the season.

At the toss, Morgan said,”We’re bowling first. I don’t know what the wicket will be like, but it’s not a belter, and not too bad, so somewhere in between. Setting a score might be a challenge, so we’ll try bowling. As a team we are focussed on taking it game by game. We have played good cricket in the second half and we have gone up from second-last position and we want to continue that performance. My performance has been a roller-coaster, so as long as the team is doing well. Sandeep Warrier comes in for Prasidh Krishna and Southee comes in for Andre Russell.”

DC Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan

KKR Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan(c), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(w), Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sandeep Warrier

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