The Kolkata Knight Riders skipper provided an update on his team’s premier all-rounder Andre Russell and whether he will play the all-important Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League 2021 on Wednesday.
Having defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first Eliminator, KKR are set to lock horns with Delhi Capitals in Sharjah with a place in the final at stake. However, it is not known yet if they’ll be at full strength, with Andre Russell available to bolster the side in both departments.
The West Indies all-rounder has been missing from action since he limped off the field after a fielding save near the boundary during September’s clash against Chennai Super Kings.
Morgan confirmed at Monday night’s post-match presser that Russell has been out with a “Grade 2 hamstring tear” and has been working extensively with the medical staff in the last two weeks.
“Andre has a Grade 2 hamstring tear, and it’s only been a couple of weeks since that injury.
He has worked incredibly hard with our medical team with intensive rehabilitation to try and get himself back on the park.”
Morgan was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.
As Russell was seen sitting at the sidelines for the KKR-RCB encounter, Morgan was asked whether there is a possibility that he might play his team’s next knock-out fixture.
“We only have 48 hours before the next game. So we’ll have to take that decision (on whether he is fit to play) based on how he presents himself tomorrow (Tuesday) and the next day,”
the skipper added.
When fit and firing, Russell is one of KKR’s most valuable players as is capable of destroying opposition attacks with his brutal power-hitting and back that up with useful overs of medium fast-bowling.
Before going down with an injury, the 33-year-old had made 183 runs at a strike-rate of 152.50 and taken 11 wickets from his 10 games of IPL 2021.
