I think KKR are missing a trick with Andre Russell: Aakash Chopra

Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) skipper Eoin Morgan received criticism after he sent in Andre Russell as late as No.7 in the batting lineup in the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals (RR). Russell came out to bat only in the 16th over of the KKR innings, and could not make much of an impact.

And, cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra has offered his thoughts regarding the same. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that the Kolkata side is giving Russell too few deliveries to face.

Adding that Russell is a ‘bazooka’, Chopra added that the Kolkata side is not using him. Chopra also opined that the opposition is scared that Russell might enter and create a major impact, but he is coming so late.

“KKR is not giving Russell his full batting. They are sending him for too few deliveries. KKR have a bazooka but they are not using it. The opposition team is scared that Russell will come and hit but he comes so late, how will he create an impact,” said Chopra.

Aakash Chopra dwells on the tactical blunders committed by KKR

Aakash Chopra also added that the Kolkata side committed some tactical blunders in their previous game. Stating that Andre Russell should have come in to bat as early as the 11th over of the innings, Chopra opined that the Kolkata side is missing a trick with respect to Russell.

“There are some tactical blunders to be honest. When the wicket had fallen after 10.2 overs, considering what had happened in the last match, I would have sent Andre Russell. It is possible it might not have worked out but what if it had gone well. I think they are missing a trick with Andre Russell, he should be playing more balls,” said Chopra.

Chopra even stated that the Kolkata Knight Riders are in a slight hangover. Stating that KKR experienced a poor start even in their match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Chopra opined that the surface at the Wankhede stadium is one where the batsmen should throw go after the bowling. The former Indian cricketer concluded by stating that the Kolkata side should try and score some quick runs.

“KKR were in a slight hangover, that their start was very bad in the last match as they were reduced to 31/5, and would go slow this time around. This is not a surface where you go slow. This is a surface where you throw caution to the winds.

Shubman Gill was playing very slowly and Nitish Rana was also trying. Shubman Gill got run out in the end and the power was not seen at all in the powerplay. Definitely, the bowling was good but it was not that good that you don’t try at all to score the quick runs,” concluded Chopra.