Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has slammed Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell calling him a liability. Russell has endured a poor run in the tournament so far which sums Kolkata’s campaign in IPL 2020 with four wins from eight games.
With just 83 runs from seven innings, Andre Russell has failed to replicate his IPL 2019 form, where he had set the tournament on fire. He averages 11.85 in the tournament and has crossed the 20-run mark just once. With the ball, he has six wickets but has bowled at an economy rate of 9.12.
Andre Russell is a liability – Pragyan Ojha
In KKR’s previous tie against Mumbai Indians (MI), Russell only managed 12 off 9 while coming out to bat in the eighth over. In the wake of it, Pragyan Ojha has slammed the Jamaican all-rounder calling him a liability in the side.
“Andre Russell is not an improved cricketer, he has not changed his game. You see all the top players, they have changed their approach. Andre Russell is playing just the way he was playing 4 years ago, that is a liability,” he said.
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Andre Russell was KKR’s go-to man in IPL 2019. Even though the franchise failed to qualify for playoffs on NRR basis, Russell was praised for scoring 510 runs off just 249 balls he faced. Pragyan Ojha took a leaf out of Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah to back his point.
“Look at Jasprit Bumrah, when he came into the Mumbai Indians side and what he is today, you have to improve. You have to improve as a cricketer, cricket is evolving and you have to evolve, you cannot be stagnant,” he added.
Andre Russell needs to be in his elements and Kolkata Knight Riders hang by the wire to keep their place in the top four and be in contention for a playoff spot.