IPL 2026: ‘Ready to play even on one leg’ - Mohammad Kaif urges Kolkata Knight Riders to bring back Andre Russell

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has made a bold suggestion for Kolkata Knight Riders, stating that if Andre Russell is even ready to play on one leg, the team should include him in the XI.

Kaif pointed out that KKR are clearly missing Russell’s impact, both on the field and psychologically, as his mere presence in the dugout creates pressure on the opposition. He also reflected on Cameron Green’s underwhelming contributions, noting that earlier in the tournament he didn’t bowl, and when he eventually did against Lucknow Super Giants, he struggled.

In that game, Mukul Choudhary took him apart for 16 runs in the penultimate over when 30 were required off two overs, a turning point in the match. Kaif further added that Green hasn’t been effective with the bat either.

“Now look at Cameron Green, he was bought for ₹25.2 crore. He has played five matches. Initially, he didn’t even bowl. But when he started bowling, KKR lost a winning game against Lucknow. Mukul Choudhary, playing his first match, attacked Green and turned the game. Even tonight, he bowled 2 overs for 30 runs. He is not delivering with his batting either,” said Kaif on his YouTube channel.

“What I’m saying is, if a player like Andre Russell is ready to play even on one leg, then you should play him. Even his presence in the dugout puts pressure on the opposition team, and the team is clearly missing him,” he added.

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Kaif further opined that the three-time champions strategically included Russell in their coaching setup, believing that allowing him to enter the auction pool could have backfired if another franchise had picked him. For context, Russell was released by KKR ahead of the auction and subsequently announced his retirement from the league before being appointed as the team’s Power coach.

“Andre Russell was neither released nor played. When he sits padded up in the dugout, casually swinging his bat and looking like he is next in, bowlers already feel the pressure, thinking that Russell is still there and will come out and smash the ball. KKR knew this, so they made him a coach and didn’t let him go anywhere because if someone picks him in the auction, things could backfire badly,” said Kaif.

“But there is a huge difference between just being in the coaching setup and actually playing on the field. Even now, Andre Russell participates in franchise leagues all over the world. No matter how old he gets, he is still in demand. Wherever there is an auction, he is always in demand, his name appears at the top of the list. Every franchise chases him,” he added.