Kolkata: Gratitude can serve as a strong driving force until it begins to run out of energy. Not too long ago, Andre Russell was an unstoppable force, dismantling partnerships, extinguishing hopes, and creating small miracles. Now, the Kolkata Knight Riders are unsure of what has befallen him. An embarrassing average of 9. 17 with a strike rate that shouldn’t be significant—both clearly the lowest in his IPL career—and chases lost so often that it raises the question of whether KKR should consider moving on from Russell.

It’s a question KKR tends to avoid discussing. Like DJ Bravo, KKR's mentor, who fervently defended Russell’s struggling batting after Monday’s 39-run defeat to Gujarat Titans. “We, as a team, didn’t bat well. That’s just the truth. Russell isn’t the only one facing difficulties right now,” said Bravo. “We need to keep the players mentally engaged, but the IPL is the kind of tournament that when you don’t start strong, batsmen go through a phase of lost confidence. That’s what is occurring at this time. ”

That’s reasonable, but the pressure on Russell is likely somewhat higher than on the others given he is a veteran, an overseas player occupying the spot for compatriot Rovman Powell (who until last month was the West Indies T20 captain and has an IPL strike rate of 147. 54) and not bowling four overs like Narine. More significant is the nature of Russell’s dismissals this year—bowled three times (and stumped once in six innings—indicating a clear issue with reading deliveries and making contact. Twice this season alone he has been unable to identify the googly, yet Bravo still attempted to provide an explanation.

“When Russell comes in to bat each time, the (required) run rate is between 14-15. The effort must be made at the top so he has the opportunity to finish the match like he’s used to at KKR. He’s been dismissed by leg spinners a few times but that’s not a worry. We simply need to bat better so he can conclude matches. ”

This explanation, too, does not hold up because turning around challenging matches is precisely what Russell has built his reputation on. Otherwise, KKR should be considering a technically superior batter like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was moved down to No 9 on Monday to allow Russell more time to bat. And this is where KKR’s strategies are becoming counterproductive this season, expecting miracles by ignoring the obvious. Aging diminishes reflexes, and no one is exempt from it, certainly not Russell.

There are understandably various emotions at play here. Russell was selected by KKR in 2014 when no one was willing to offer him an IPL contract. Therefore, he expressed his gratitude in the only way the big man knows. The relationship strengthened, KKR began to become enamored with him, and for all the right reasons, until the rationale behind it all began to become unclear. Retaining Russell was never a topic for discussion. Until now. And not only Russell, opening the batting with Sunil Narine also appears to have lost its charm.

An occasional six might elicit a chuckle or two from those still supporting Narine, but it shouldn’t escape their notice that bowlers now realize the only way Narine accumulates runs is by clearing his front leg and swinging wildly at the ball. His form doesn't seem terminally poor, particularly with a strike rate of 177. However, when contrasted with the fact that he has only hit 14 sixes (compared to 50 last year or 40 in 2018), Narine still opening the batting appears illogical now. Combine this with Russell’s declining output and KKR faces significant problems both at the top and the lower end of their batting lineup.

On one level, it's not just about the batting and the results, as those can be defended from different perspectives, but rather about the impression it can create. With Russell and Narine, KKR had succeeded in developing two merciless hitters of the cricket ball, causing chaos and extinguishing the hopes of their opponents. That aura has considerably faded. Now Narine and Russell are frequently outperformed, dismissed early, and wasting deliveries even. Always the first names on retention lists and in playing elevens, Narine and Russell have more than delivered for KKR. However, expecting them to maintain the same performance levels isn't bringing the defending champions anywhere near where they aspire to be at this moment.

Read Also: Axar’s Captaincy: IPL’s Pleasant Surprise

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!