IPL 2023: Question marks on Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, is it time for KKR to let go of their old Jamaican flavour?

Kolkata Knight Riders, after beginning with a bang, have somewhat lost their way with three defeats in five matches. A couple more losses and the knights will start feeling the heat in the race for the top four in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
Question marks are already being raised in the form of the two Carribean stalwarts – Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. Over the years, the duo has served the franchise well and won them two IPL titles. But age and lack of form are catching up on them.
Russell, who has made a significant impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team member, is known for his explosive batting, dynamic fielding, and impressive bowling skills, making him a valuable asset to the KKR team.
Russell’s best IPL season came in 2019, when he scored 510 runs in 14 matches with a staggering strike rate of 204.81. But looking at his recent form shows why he looks like a shadow of his past.
Dwindling numbers of Dre Russ
In his past 10 matches, which include stints in the Bangladesh Premier League and International League T20 along with the IPL, reveals his highest score has been 35, which he achieved against Punjab Kings in KKR’s first game of this season. In IPL 2023, Russell has so far scored just 60 runs in 5 matches at an average of 15 and a strike rate of 153.85.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine and teammates talk to Andre Russell as he lies on the ground due to discomfort during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata, India, Friday, April 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
But this was something which was on the cards. The 34-year-old’s form in the IPL has been inconsent in recent years. In the 2020 season, he struggled with injuries. In the 2021 season, he had a good start, scoring 163 runs in 7 matches with a strike rate of 142.10 before the tournament was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Russell’s bowling has been an equally important factor in the KKR’s success. He can bowl in the powerplay, middle overs and at the death, generating significant pace and bounce. He can also bowl various deliveries, including the bouncer, yorker, and slower ball. His bowling is often used captains to break partnerships, take key wickets, and control the run rate. However, in recent seasons, Russell’s bowling form has also been inconsent. In the 2020 season, he struggled with injuries and took only six wickets in 10 matches, with an economy rate of 9.72. In 2021, he had 11 wickets in 10 wickets before bouncing back with 17 wickets in 2022.
But in IPL 2023, Russell bowled just 3.1 overs in five matches and picked up three wickets ( all in one match against SRH) before walking off the field after being injured due to cramps. Hence, with the weather around the country taking a turn for the worse, it remains to be seen whether he can make a significant impact with the ball.
Russell’s performances have also been hampered several injuries that have affected his availability and form. In the 2019 season, Russell suffered a wr injury. In the 2020 season, Russell’s injury problems worsened, and he missed four matches due to a knee injury. In the 2021 season, Russell was plagued injury problems again. He missed two games due to a hamstring injury and struggled with a knee injury. Hence, it does seem like age is catching up with the big burly West Indian and it will be interesting to see how long KKR pers with him.
Narine not upto the mark
Known for his exceptional skills with spin, Narine has been one of the most successful bowlers in IPL hory. He has played for KKR since 2012 and has contributed significantly to the team’s success and is one of their top wicket-takers. But since the 2020 season, his form has been patchy at best and batters have nullified the mystery factor in him reading him better.
Kolkata Knight Riders cricketers Andre Russell and Sunil Narine during a practice session ahead of the IPL 2023 cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders (PTI Photo)
In 2020, he picked up five wickets in 10 matches while bowling at an economy rate of 7.94. In 2021, he had a slightly better outing with 16 wickets in 14 games. But in 2022, he could pick up only 9 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 34.67. In 2023, Narine bowled 19 overs in the 5 matches he played, and picked up six wickets. His average has been 26.33 and the strike rate is 19.
In addition to his bowling, Narine is also useful as a batter coming in as a handy batsman at the top. His ability to hit big shots and score quickly, often helped KKR post big totals. In IPL 2018, Sunil Narine had a standout season with the bat as he scored 357 runs at a scintillating strike rate of 189.89 where he also notched up a couple of super quick half centuries.
However, Narine has yet to be able to contribute much with the bat in the following seasons as bowlers found out his weakness against the short ball. In 2020, he scored 121 runs. In 2021, he scored only 62 and last year in IPL 20223 he amassed just 71 runs. In 2023, in the five matches so far, he has scored just 9 runs and hit just one six.
If KKR have to make it to the top four then these two need to make an impact sooner than later. Else, the team management led Chandrakant Pandit need to take some tough calls. Maybe Russell could be tested as an impact player. Or maybe it is finally time to move on from the two legends and nurture new talent. Mumbai Indians did it with Pollard and moved him to the role of a consultant. Will KKR do the same or will they continue to give the long rope to their Carribean Kings? Only time will tell.