Kolkata will learn from Mumbai heartbreak: Russell

CHENNAI, April 14

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell bemoaned the failure of their big-hitters to get the team across the line against Mumbai Indians but backed the two-time champions to bounce back in the Indian Premier League.

Kolkata, chasing 153, were cruising at 84/1 in the 11th over but Eoin Morgan’s side then paid the price for overaggression and finished on 142/7 on Tuesday. England’s World Cup-winning captain Morgan, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Russell all failed to reach double figures, with Kolkata falling short of the 22 runs they needed from the last three overs with half the batting line-up intact.

“Unfortunately, good finishers like myself and DK (Dinesh Karthik), we didn’t get bat to balls,” Russell said.

“As a new batter, to come in and hit from ball one is very challenging. The ball was a bit up and down, so it’s not the easiest pitch to hit on.”

This was KKR’s 10th defeat against Mumbai in the last 11 completed matches between the teams. — Reuters