IPL 2025: KKR’s Bharat Arun Backs Andre Russell To Bounce Back After Opening Game Struggles

March 26, 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling coach Bharat Arun has come out in full support of star all-rounder Andre Russell, who had a forgettable performance in the team’s opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Russell, known for his explosive batting, managed only four runs in KKR’s seven-wicket loss at Eden Gardens, which raised concerns about his form.

However, Arun remains optimistic about the big-hitting Jamaican’s ability to bounce back and is confident that Russell will put his disappointment behind him. In a pre-match press conference ahead of KKR’s next clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Arun emphasized the importance of resilience in sports, especially for a champion player like Russell.

“Sport is about failing. You fail more often than you succeed but for a champion like Russ [Andre Russell], it must be weighing on his mind that he didn’t perform last game. He is out to prove himself every single game, and we are hoping he comes really good in this match,” Arun stated, showing his trust in Russell’s potential to turn the page.

Arun also reflected on KKR’s opening loss to RCB, acknowledging that the team could have performed better, particularly in terms of managing the end overs. Despite the defeat, Arun maintained a positive outlook, focusing on the lessons learned and the positives from the match.

“Actually, as a team, we are not too worried about the first game. Of course, winning the opener gives you momentum, but there were a lot of positives. There were also lessons to be learnt–perhaps we could have capitalized better and scored more runs if we hadn’t lost wickets towards the end,” Arun added.

On the bowling front, Arun recognized that there were areas for improvement but reassured that the team was focused on learning and evolving with each match.

“There’s always an opportunity to bowl better, but this team is not too worried about it. We’ll take lessons from the last game and try to improve going forward,” Arun concluded.

As KKR prepares for their next match against Rajasthan Royals, all eyes will be on Andre Russell as he looks to make an impact and help his team bounce back from their opening defeat.