IPL 2024, RCB vs KKR Strategic Corner - How can RCB stop Andre Russell?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Andre Russell has a great record against RCB in IPL [AP Photos]Andre Russell has a great record against RCB in IPL [AP Photos]

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be playing against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the tenth game of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). This match will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on the 29th of March. 

KKR have started their tournament with a win and is in good form. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, have won one and lost one of their first two games. RCB will be looking to win this game, close the gap in the two teams' head-to-head stats, and keep their winning momentum going. 


Why Andre Russell will be the biggest threat for RCB?

However, one of the biggest obstacles to RCB in the game will be Andre Russell. Here is a look at Russell's numbers at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

Innings
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
Boundary%
513344.30233.3036.84

The record shows that Russell enjoys batting at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. His strike rate and average at the venue are ominous signs for the home team. 

Besides his brilliant show at the Chinnawamy, Russell has an excellent record against RCB. 

Innings
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
Boundary %
1439639.60205.2033.16

Even if we keep the numbers aside, Russell's current form makes him a significant threat for RCB against KKR. 


Probable Plan for RCB against Andre Russell

If we look at the dismissals we find the following things. 

Bowler Type
Number of Dismissals
Right Arm Leg Spinner5
Right Arm Fast Medium2
Right Arm Medium2
Left Arm Medium
1

Table - Andre Russell dismissals against bowling types

So, Russell has a definite weakness against the Right Arm Leg Spinners. In that case,  the prime option for RCB would be Karn Sharma. They can also use Mayank Dagar against him as he will also take the ball away from Russell. 

Now, let us have a look at the line and length of the delveires in which he got dismissed in IPL 2023. 

Andre Russell dismissal pitch map in IPL 2024 [OneCricket]Andre Russell dismissal pitch map in IPL 2024 [OneCricket]

The pitch map gives us idea that full pitched deliveries outside the off-stump is an area where he is often dismissed. Thus if we combine the two facts, we can say that spinners who can take the delivery away from him need to flight and lure him outside the off stump. The main objetive of this is to keep the ball away from his hitting arc and then wait for him to miscue a shot.