The IPL 2025 turned dramatic as Kolkata Knight Riders faltered in an easy chase of 112 runs by losing all their wickets at just 95 runs against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur last night. This is a wake-up call for the Kolkata Knight Riders to make some changes and decide on ways to improve the team. One of the biggest reasons why Kolkata couldn’t chase big targets is Andre Russell not stepping up. Russell has carried the team for years, finishing matches for them. The Caribbean all-rounder has been excellent over the years, but this season, he has been terrible, and it’s high time KKR realise that Andre Russell’s time may be over.
During the match against Punjab, he stood as the last wicket, smashed a six, and scored a four against Yuzvendra Chahal but ultimately failed to connect with the ball last against Marco Jansen and lost his wicket, which basically gifted the match to Punjab Kings.
Andre Russell’s awful performance in IPL 2025
This is not the first time Russell has faltered during a chase. This season, his performance has not been up to the mark. He has played 5 innings and scored only 34 runs. He is inconsistent and has been unable to read the ball well, constantly losing his wicket.
KKR has chased four times and lost twice in IPL 2025, with Russell being a contributing factor in their losses. He didn’t need to bat in the matches where the team won, but when the team needed him to step up, he faltered. In the chase against LSG, he scored 7 runs, and the team lost by 4 runs. Similarly, against PBKS, he failed again.
A better bowler but not a regular
Russell has been effective with the ball, but he hasn’t been a regular bowler for the team. Out of the seven matches he has played, he has bowled in only three matches. He is not a consistent bowler, but the team is relying on him as a batter and a finisher.
Andre Russell in IPL 2025
| Match | Bat | Bowl | Date | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KKR vs PBKS | 17 | — | 15-Apr-2025 | Mullanpur |
| KKR vs CSK | — | — | 11-Apr-2025 | Chennai |
| KKR vs LSG | 7 | 1/32 | 08-Apr-2025 | Eden Gardens |
| KKR vs SRH | 1 | 2/21 | 03-Apr-2025 | Eden Gardens |
| KKR vs MI | 5 | 2/35 | 31-Mar-2025 | Wankhede |
| KKR vs RR | — | — | 26-Mar-2025 | Guwahati |
| KKR vs RCB | 4 | — | 22-Mar-2025 | Eden Gardens |
Is Russell’s time over in IPL?
Russell has been great, but it seems like his time in the IPL might be over. He should perhaps make way for other players, as he has been disappointing with the bat and is not bowling consistently. He needs to step up and deliver in big chases; otherwise, KKR needs to decide if they want Russell in their team as a finisher or not because he hasn’t been able to finish matches and is now putting pressure on other players. His role as a finisher is being questioned.
There are his generation of Caribbean players like DJ Bravo and Kieron Pollard, who have transitioned to roles as mentors and coaches in the IPL. Russell might have some cricket left in him, but now, it seems he is not as effective a player in the biggest T20 league.
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