IPL 2024: KKR star Andre Russell doubtful for next match against RCB? Reason Revealed

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Kolkata Knight Riders star Andre Russell had a scare during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday (March 23) at the Eden Gardens.

KKR scripted a thrilling victory over SRH to kick off their IPL 2024 campaign in style, but Russell had a physical discomfort during the match, revealed KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer.

Harshit Rana bowled the final over for KKR in the match and defended 12 runs to give them two important points. Although Andre Russell was available, Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to go with Harshit Rana for the last over.

At the post-match interview, Iyer was asked about the move and he revealed the Andre Russell was having abdominal discomfort and left the field after 17th over. Hence Iyer didn't have any option but Mitchell Starc, who conceded 26 runs in the 19th over as Heinrich Klaasen and Shahbaz Ahmed dispatched the Australian out of the park.

IPL 2024: Will KKR Star Andre Russell play vs RCB?

The KKR captain didn't reveal the timeline or the severity of Russell's problem, but the player came to the post-match presentation for his Player of the Match award. The West Indies player scored 64 runs with bat off just 25 balls and also picked up 2 wickets.

Russell's abdominal issue seems to be not a serious one. According to reports, the KKR star's discomfort was mainly to the climate change and humidity, which is expected to resolve within the next couple of days.

Kolkata's next match is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday (March 29), and we can expect Russell to be fit by then. He has been a mainstay at the franchise with this season being his 11th year at the Knight Riders. The 35-year-old has shown his importance for KKR again and hopefully, he will be fully fit and refreshed for the RCB match.