Andre Russell wants to be next MS Dhoni of IPL? KKR's Varun Chakravarthy drops hint

Andre Russell on Sunday silenced his critics with a match-winning knock for Kolkata Knight Riders and his teammate Varun Chakravarthy revealed that the veteran all-rounder is keen to continue  in the IPL as a player for "easily six more years."

"As far as I have spoken to him (Russell) and interacted with him, he still wants to play another 2-3 cycles of IPL which is easily six more years," Varun Chakravarthy said in the post-match media interaction.

One cycle refers to three seasons between mega auctions, meaning Russell is aiming to stay with KKR well into his 40s if form and fitness permit.

Caribbean icon Russell, who turned 37 recently, had come under scrutiny for his patchy form this season after being retained by the defending champions for ₹12 crore in a three-year deal ahead of the mega auction. With just 72 runs from seven innings at an average of 10.28, he made four single-digit scores until Sunday. Questions were beginning to be raised about his place in the side despite captain Ajinkya Rahane and team management backing him. 

However, the Jamaican found his lethal rhythm to score an unbeaten 57 off 25 balls that effectively powered KKR to 206/4 against Rajasthan Royals in a must-win clash at Eden Gardens. Russell, promoted up the order, initially struggled against spin, scoring just 2 off his first 9 deliveries. He cut himself loose from that point, ensuring that his team finished strongly. The hosts went on to edge out RR by a solitary run in a thrilling finish to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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"He looks fine and fit. It doesn't matter how old you are. If you are able to contribute to the team, that's enough. In franchise cricket, they are not going to question you," said Chakravarthy.

The oldest player to ever play in the IPL is Australian spinner Brad Hogg, who was 45 years and 92 days old when he played his final match for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2016. Pravin Tambe is the oldest Indian to play in the league. He played his last game at the age of 44 years and 219 days in 2016.  MS Dhoni (43 years and still playing), Muttiah Muralitharan (42 years and 35 days) and Imran Tahir (42 years and 29 days) are some other "oldies" with memorable campaigns in the league.