India, April 23 -- Gratitude can be a potent motivation till it starts running on fumes. Not too long ago, Andre Russell was a one-man army, breaking partnerships, dousing hopes, conjuring mini miracles. Now, Kolkata Knight Riders don't know what has hit him. An embarrassing average of 9.17 with a strike rate that shouldn't matter--both obviously the lowest ever in his IPL career-and chases frittered away so frequently that it begs asking if KKR should look beyond Russell.

It's a question KKR tend to tiptoe around. Like DJ Bravo, KKR mentor, who passionately defended Russell's laboured batting after Monday's 39-run loss to Gujarat Titans. "We as a team didn't bat properly. That's just the reality. Russell isn't the only one struggling ri...