IPL: Andre Russell can play in final against CSK, hints David Hussey
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coach David Hussey hinted on Wednesday that star all-rounder Andre Russell could be available for selection for the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday.
Swashbuckling all-rounder Russell, had suffered a grade 2 hamstring injury and after having missed a few games, he might be back for Friday’s final against CSK.
“He was bowling before the game (against DC) today, so he might be in the mix,” Hussey said at the post-match press conference after the win over Delhi Capitals (DC).
Chasing a modest 136 for victory against DC, the KKR lost six wickets in 3.5 overs with only seven runs added, before Rahul Tripathi’s stunning six in the penultimate delivery of the final over sealed the issue in his team’s favour. Not worried with the collapse, Hussey backed his batters to come good in the final.
“No, I’m not concerned because they’re all classy players. They know how to play. (It) is just the difficult nature of these pictures, they have been playing on, makes the middle of players, sort of stand out, they are not getting their strike rate 200,” Hussey said.
“They had to knuckle down and maybe a strike rate of 110-120, so not concerned, we are going to Dubai full of confidence and you just never know what’s going to happen.”
Venkatesh Iyer’s brilliant half-century and Shubman Gill’s 46-run knock laid the foundation for KKR before the dramatic collapse. But Hussey sounded optimistic going into the final.
“… Full credit to (KKR skipper Eoin) Morgan, (we have) full confidence in Morgan, Dinesh Karthik and Shakib (Al Hasan) going in the next game. They have done it countless times for their countries and in the IPL. So, we’re looking forward to the next game,” the chief mentor said.
Hussey also informed that all-rounder Shakib would be available for selection in the final.
“He (Shakib) is a fine player, has probably won us two games or contributed to two wins, so I’d like to think he is available, and I think, everybody’s going to be available for selection, so it’s going be a tough call by the head coach (Brendon McCullum),” said Hussey.
