Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The 14th edition of Indian Premier League seems to be getting more and more challenging for Kolkata Knight Riders. Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise, who won the title in 2012 and 2014, are having a forgettable season under the leadership of Eoin Morgan in 2021. At the half-way mark in the ongoing season, the franchise have already lost five out of their seven matches, with the latest hammering coming against Delhi Capitals where Prithvi Shaw completely destroyed KKR in Ahmedabad. However, it seems like that the problems for franchise are not going to be solved anytime soon as they have been handed another major blow.
Russell and Shakib to leave KKR squad
Two star all-rounders of Kolkata Knight Riders, Andre Russell and Shakib Al Hasan are reportedly expected to leave the squad by May 23. The duo will be leaving for Pakistan where they are due to take part in the PSL 2021, which is set to resume its matches from June 1, 2021 in Karachi. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak earlier in the tournament, PCB are leaving no stones unturned this time around. They have asked the players follow a 7-day quarantine before entering the bio-bubble and therefore all the teams will have to assemble by May 23. Notably, Andre Russell and Shakib al Hasan were picked up by Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 2021 draft held recently.
How will it affect KKR's campaign?
The good news for the franchise is that the duo will be available for all the league games as KKR play their last match on May 21 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, it would be a huge loss to the franchise if they somehow manage to reach the playoffs. With KKR's Ben Cutting also a part of Quetta Gladiators in PSL, the franchise might be left with only five overseas players for the crucial phase of the season.