Andre Russell ruled out against Lions with leg injury

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been ruled out with a leg injury. The 28-year old Russell hobbled off in the match against the Royal Challengers after he fell to the ground on multiple occasions during his bowling follow through. After collapsing to the flow later on in the chase, Russell hobbled off, only for another bowler to complete his overs and the Challengers to pick up an important win at the Eden Gardens.

Andre Russell did not board the flight along with his teammates to Raipur to face the Gujarat Lions and will most certainly be a huge miss for the Knight Riders’ hopes of securing qualification to the playoffs. Russell is the third highest wicket-taker of the tournament, with 15 wickets in 12 innings, and an economy of 7.97. He is also the fourth-highest run-scorer for Kolkata with 188 runs.

In the 2.3 overs he bowled on the night against the Challengers, he left the field midway through the innings after having bowled two overs. After receiving a brief amount of medical attention, Russell made his way back to the field and was handed the responsibility of bowling the penultimate over against a merciless Virat Kohli. However, after having bowled three deliveries, Russell hobbled off with another player bowling the fourth delivery. The fourth delivery, however, raced away to the fence as the Challengers clinched an all-important win.

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The Knight Riders will be hoping that Russell gets back to full fitness as soon as possible with the race for playoffs spots becoming all the more competitive by the minute. The Knight Riders have to win at least one match to secure a playoffs spot, and they will be hoping that they can seal it with a win against the Gujarat Lions in Raipur.

Brad Hogg seems to be the favorite to replace the injured Russell. However, the likes of Colin Munro, Jason Holder, and even Shaun Tait wait in the wings, awaiting their call to duty. Of the reinforcements, only Colin Munro has made an appearance twice with Holder and Tait warming the benches at the moment.