Last Updated:
Andre Russell was questioned after he couldn’t play a big part in Kolkata Knight Riders’ 199-run chase against the Gujarat Titans.
Ajinkya Rahane scored yet another half-century vs GT but that didn’t help KKR’s cause (Picture credit: BCCI)
Former Windies allrounder Dwayne Bravo, who is the current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has defended compatriot Andre Russell’s off-form, saying that he is not the only one struggling and the entire batch of Kolkata’s batters are unable to put up a good show.
Russell has crossed the double figures just twice in the six games he has batted in IPL 2025, and his struggles against wrist spinners have been quite glaring.
While Kolkata couldn’t chase down a whopping 199 on Monday, they failed to chase 113 last week against the Punjab Kings as well, raising massive questions about their batting.
“Andre Russell is an experienced and successful player. Yes, in a couple of games, the leg-spinners got him out. But I don’t think we are batting well as a team. That is the reality,” Bravo said while speaking at the post-match press conference.
“Russell is not the only one struggling. As a group, we have to ensure players are backed. We need to keep preparing well. IPL is a tough tournament. If you don’t start well, batters can go into a period where they lose confidence,” Bravo added.
Russell began his knock with a four and a six off Washington Sundar, but when Sai Kishore and Rashid Khan were brought from both ends, his runs dried up.
Russell had little clue which way the deliveries were turning and was stumped, off a Rashid googly.
Bravo said that Russell’s struggles against the wrist spinners are nothing to be worried about.
“Not every team has leg-spinners, and today he was up against a quality spinner like Rashid Khan. When Russell walks in to bat, every time the run rate is at 14 or 15 runs per over,” Bravo said.
“Work needs to be done at the top to give him a chance to finish off games like he has been doing all these years for KKR. Yes, leg-spinners got him out a few times, but I don’t think that is a big concern,” Bravo added.
The Eden Gardens pitch has been under the spotlight in IPL 2025 after the Kolkata camp voiced concerns about not getting its preferred home pitch.
