‘Hopefully Russell and Narine will be fit’: KKR captain Eoin Morgan opens up on Andre Russell and Sunil Narine’s injuries

Hopefully Russell and Narine will be fit: The captain of Kolkata Knight Riders was hopeful of their star all-rounder regaining fitness soon.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan admitted that winning the toss and opting to bat wasn’t the right decision against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium tonight.

Been reduced to 14/4 in the fourth over, Knight Riders could only manage 84/8 in their allotted quota of 20 overs as opposition bowlers in Mohammed Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t give them any opportunities of finding momentum.

“I think it started with batting. Being four or five down as early as we were is disappointing. RCB bowled well, but we should have countered that better and with that dew, we probably should have bowled first,” Morgan told host broadcaster Star Sports during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Despite including opening batsman Tom Banton for the injured Andre Russell, KKR sent him to bat at No. 4 to surprise fans and experts. Being asked about the same, Morgan explained why the team management didn’t want to change the Indian top-order.

“We have been consistent with our selections of the top three, we believe they are the ones to take us forward. They have shown potential. So it was important to back the Indian batsmen,” Morgan added.

“Hopefully Russell and Narine will be fit…”

The recently concluded 39th match of IPL 2020 was also the first for Kolkata since 2012 where they took the field without either of Sunil Narine or Andre Russell. The absence of two star all-rounders appears to be affecting the team especially after such a loss.

Being asked about the same, Morgan expressed hope in the pair returning in the matches to come. Having lost five out of their 10 matches so far, KKR are at the fourth position on the points table. Another loss for them would put them in a daunting situation of needing to win all their remaining matches.

#KKR had four wins in the first 7 games. One in the last three. They have a new captain. Narine gets reported. Russell gets injured. While Ferguson is huge plus, others need to lift their game. Especially the batsmen. #IPL2020

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 21, 2020

“Hopefully, [Andre] Russell and [Sunil] Narine will be fit and available around the corner. Two guys of that calibre, particularly when they are all-rounders, is a big hole. Hopefully, they will be available down the line,” Morgan concluded.

Knight Riders will now take on table-toppers Delhi Capitals on October 24.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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