The former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batsman feels that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)’s Rs 25.20 crore player Cameron Green is in no way even close to Andre Russell. After releasing Russell ahead of the IPL mini-auction, the Knight Riders went all out and picked Green.
Andre Russell also soon announced his retirement from IPL. The former West Indies all-rounder had announced his international retirement last year. Russell took 2500+ runs and 123 wickets in 115 IPL innings.
He won two IPL titles with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 and again a decade later in 2024. He was one of their most valuable assets after being named the Most Valuable Player in the IPL season.
Cameron Green is nowhere near Andre Russell-Mohammed Kaif
Kolkata felt that Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who is young and dynamic, would be more than a replacement for the experienced Andre Russell. However, Mohammad Kaif does not think so.
The former DC coach believes that Green is a promising batsman, but when compared to Andre Russell, he is nowhere near his impact. Russell had a reputation for finishing games for the Knights. He saved them from the most difficult situations.
A former RCB player commented, “Cameron Green is not even close to Andre Russell. He is a good batsman, but when you compare him with Russell the difference is huge.”
No, no, Russell’s absence will not be filled – Mohammad Kaif
The former player then continued and said that not only Cameron Green, but also West Indies batsman Rovman Powell cannot make up for Russell. This is because the former all-rounder had a golden hand and took wickets whenever he was handed the ball.
He said, “No, no, Russell will not be filled (by Powell). He contributed a lot with his batting and he was also a golden arm. He sometimes did not get a chance to bowl four overs, but whenever he bowled, he took wickets. Even Cameron Green cannot fill his void.”
Shahrukh Khan requested him to take up coaching role – Kaif’s bold announcement
Mohammad Kaif said that KKR might not want to repeat the same mistake with Russell that they made when they released Chris Gayle, who had wreaked havoc in the IPL, but for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
“I think they didn’t want a repeat of what happened with Chris Gayle. Andre Russell still plays in different leagues and is not completely retired.
He said, “I think there was a change of plan later, because KKR felt that if this guy goes to the auction and does what Chris Gayle did after his release, then they will make the same mistake twice.”
He also claimed that KKR owner Shahrukh Khan might have intervened and requested Russell to remain the coach for KKR and help the new kids with some power-hitting coaching.
He further added, “Later they decided to talk to him and take him into the support staff. We all thought he would be released, but maybe Shah Rukh Khan joined and talked to him and requested him to take up a coaching role to help other players.”
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