Kolkata Knight Riders Andre Russell has been a standout performer in the last few years of the IPL. The destructive striker has won matches for his IPL franchise from several impossible positions. Opposition teams always fear KKR when they face KKR in the IPL as they have Russell in their ranks.
So far not many have been able to stop Russell in the IPL. Ahead of IPL 2020 former India cricketer and KKR captain, Gautam Gambhir picked a bowler that can trouble the KKR star player in the upcoming season. Gambhir gave the name of Mumbai Indians champion bowler Jasprit Bumrah that can stop Russell in the IPL in the UAE.
Gambhir Picks The Bowler Who Can Trouble Andre Russell
“There might be two or three of them 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 trouble Andre Russell,” Gambhir was quoted as saying on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.
Meanwhile, a lot has been speculated about where Russell will bat in IPL 2020. Gautam Gambhir stated that KKR should look to make the most of Russell as a batsman. He believes that Russell should be promoted in the batting line-up once KKR gets a good start.
Gambhir added that for somebody like a Russell overs should matter more than a batting position in T20 cricket.
“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,” Gambhir said.
“So, at times, it is possible, that you have got such a good start, that you can send Russell even ahead of (Eoin) 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 line-up rather than saying that you will not send him above No. 5 or No. 6,” Gambhir concluded.
Moreover, Andre Russell has a stellar IPL career as he has scored 1400 runs at a mind-boggling strike rate of 186, which makes him one of the leading players in T20 cricket. The 32-year-old has always saved his best for the IPL and KKR will be again banking on Russell in IPL 2020.