Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has stated that the Kolkata Knight Riders should not include Jamaican Andre Russell in their playing XI if he would be unable to bowl. Russell previously had a hamstring strain during KKR’s encounter versus Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi, forcing him to miss the game. Brendon McCullum, the team’s head coach, also stated that Russell’s unavailability impacted the team’s balance. Here is all about Gambhir Feeling on Russell’s Fitness.

Gambhir Feeling on Russell’s Fitness

The West Indian has 11 wickets in 10 games, but at a high economic rate of 9.89. But it’s his batting statistics that have been a source of worry recently. Including 1 half-century, the right-hand batsman has 183 runs at an avg. of 26.14 and a strike rate of 152.50. If Russell is fit and he’s willing to do deliver in both the departments.

Gambhir, who headed KKR to two IPL wins in 2012 and 2014, believes Shakib Al Hasan has done absolutely nothing wrong to be dropped out of the XI. The Delhi-born Gambhir was firm in stating that the Knights may want an additional bowler in the playoffs and cannot trust on part-timers.

“No, if he doesn’t bowl, he doesn’t come in. What wrong has Shakib done? For me, if Russell is fit and he’s willing to do deliver in both the departments, batting and bowling, I’d pick him. But if he says that he can only bat and can’t bowl, then I’d probably go with Shakib because you need the sixth bowling option against a batting lineup like RCB,” said Gambhir.

“You can’t just go with four or five bowlers with the part-time bowling of Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer. That’s walking on the edge and you won’t want that, especially in a playoff game,” he added.

As Gambhir expressed his thoughts about the possibility of KKR facing RCB in the Eliminator, there has been no clarity on the playoff game. Even though the Mumbai Indians have a statistical possibility of eliminating the Knights from the tournament, RCB may surpass the Super Kings to the 2nd spot in the standings.

KKR defeated Sanju Samson’s RR by 86 runs on Thursday, October 7, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, after dismissing the opposition for 85 runs in 16.1 overs. Shivam Mavi finished with a four-wicket haul and was named Player of the Match.

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