As KKR slide down the table, Andre Russell emerges as their face of selection dilemma

Sinking numbers for Russell

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: Gratitude can be a potent motivation till it starts running on fumes. Not too long ago, Andre Russell was a one-man army, breaking partnerships, dousing hopes, conjuring mini miracles. Now, Kolkata Knight Riders don't know what has hit him. An embarrassing average of 9.17 with a strike rate that shouldn't matter—both obviously the lowest ever in his IPL career—and chases frittered away so frequently that it begs asking if KKR should look beyond Russell.

It's a question KKR tend to tiptoe around. Like DJ Bravo, KKR mentor, who passionately defended Russell's laboured batting after Monday's 39-run loss to Gujarat Titans. "We as a team didn't bat properly. That's just the reality. Russell isn't the only one struggling right now," said Bravo. "We need to keep the players mentally focused but IPL is that kind of tournament that when you don't start well, batsmen go into a period where they've lost confidence. That's what's happening at the moment."