Tight matches give KKR the momentum, says Varun

Kolkata Knight Riders star spinner Varun Chakravarthy says that if you are able to contribute to the team, that’s enough in a franchise and said that Andre Russell was one of the main contributors in the team’s win against Rajasthan Royals

HYDERABAD: Kolkata Knight Riders star spinner Varun Chakravarthy says that if you are able to contribute to the team, that’s enough in a franchise and said that Andre Russell was one of the main contributors (25-ball 57) in the team’s thrilling one-run win against Rajasthan Royals in Kolkata on Sunday.

“As far as I have spoken to him (Russell) and interacted with him, he still wants to play another two-three (auction) cycles of the IPL, which is easily six more years. He looks fine and fit. It doesn’t matter how old you are,” said Varun.

“If you are able to contribute to the team, that’s enough in a franchise. Russell made that choice not to attack the spinners. But that’s not the truth that he can’t hit spin. He can hammer spin,” he said, disagreeing that the West Indian all-rounder struggled against spin.

“We believe these kinds of tight matches would give KKR the momentum and self-belief. This is exactly what we needed. I am hopeful that we can pull off the next three matches. We have done it before,” Varun said.”

RR’s batting coach Vikram Rathore regretted that his team’s batters could not finish the match.

“Today, we gave maybe 15-20 extra runs. Riyan (Parag) got us into a position where we should have won as well. Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish off,” said Rathore.

Rathore said even though individually the RR players did well but collectively they could not.