If Andre Russell Bats 60 Balls, He May Make a Double Hundred: KKR Mentor David Hussey

Russell was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2019, hitting 510 runs at 56.66 apart from picking 11 wickets as well.

Kolkata Knight Riders are contemplating promoting Andre Russell up the batting order to the No. 3 spot as they aim for a third IPL title. KKR failed to make the playoffs last season after finishing the round-robin stage at the fifth spot.

Russell was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2019, hitting 510 runs at 56.66 apart from picking 11 wickets as well.

The West Indian allrounder had then blamed some bad decisions for KKR not being able to make the playoffs.

Under a new think-tank, led by coach Brendon McCullum, KKR may end up playing Russell higher up the batting order.

“If it benefits the team and helps us win games of cricket, why not? If that means Andre Russell comes in at three and bats 60 balls, he might actually make a double hundred. Anything can happen with Dre Russ,” KKR mentor David Hussey said during a press conference on Sunday.

“A fantastic player, he is probably almost the heartbeat of the team as well. We’ve actually got really a well-balanced team… Anyone can bat in any different position. But if it benefits the team, why not, why can’t he bat up the list,” he added.

KKR has put in place a new think-tank for the season comprising coach McCullum, mentor Hussey and bowling coach Kyle Mills.

During his playing days, McCullum was known for his aggressive batting and innovative captaincy.

“Anyone who knows Brendon McCullum is aware that he plays the game at 100 miles per hour, and he tries to encourage the players to take the game on. So we’ve got players who can take the game on, players who can fit in the anchor role,” Hussey said.

Another big name KKR have added to bolster their squad is England’s world cup winning captain Eoin Morgan who is expected to be captain Dinesh Karthik’s deputy in the side.

“He (Morgan) is a huge name, World Cup-winning captain, captain of England for a long time, classy player, classy performer. He is also going to be a great ally for Dinesh Karthik, maybe fielding in the ring and talking to the bowlers with our captain behind the stumps,” Hussey said.

Hussey added, “He is a very cool, calm and collected person. He’s also going to be very heavy in the middle order controlling things. I do expect them to both have a really good relationship on and off the field and I think it’s going to go a long way to having a cool and calm head to winning many games during a very tight tournament.”

KKR start their campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi on September 23.