Mark Waugh not pleased with Andre Russell batting down the order for KKR; calls it 'waste'

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 will be remembered as that of Andre Russell. The West Indian batting all-rounder, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has been in a superhuman form this season, scoring 392 runs from 10 matches at an average of 217 plus! He has given the KKR some memorable victories early in the tournament by coming up with some incredible hitting and has carried the team’s batting almost single-handedly. However, KKR could not maintain the momentum after getting a good start as they went on to lose four matches on the trot after winning four of their first five.

However, even if Russell’s batting performance has caught all eyes, it has been criticized of his batting position since the KKR have played Russell much down the order despite his form. On Sunday, when KKR faced Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad for their return game, Russell was sent at No. 7 and he could not manage to contribute much for the team, getting out for 15 in just nine balls.

Former Australia opener Mark Waugh was not happy with the KKR’s decision of sending Russell down the order and called it a “waste”. The KKR innings had only four-and-half overs left when Russell came out to bat and visitors could manage only 159 for 8 in 20 overs.

Just watching the IPL on @FOXSports. Can’t understand why KKR have the master blaster Andre Russell batting at number 7. What a waste.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) April 21, 2019

Russell himself was not happy with batting down the order

In the previous match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the KKR sent Russell to bat at No. 6 during a steep chase of 214 and he played a monstrous knock of 65 off 25 balls to take his side, along with Nitish Rana (85 off 46 balls), within a striking distance of win.

Even Russell was not happy with the team’s decision to send him down the order in the match against RCB. He said that he would not have minded going in at No.4 as that would put pressure on the opposition team. With pressure on them and that could mean the strike bowlers would have fewer overs remaining at the end.

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