Russell enjoying the form of his life

Honesty has played a big role in Kolkata’s success in recent times — there’s no point in pretending something is green if it’s blue. And it’s certainly pointless pretending a performance was good if it was bad, or that you were ‘unlucky’.

So let’s deal with the last match against Punjab — we were poor! It was probably our slackest performance in two years and we had to use our ‘get out of jail’ card to escape with two points. The consolation, of course, is the knowledge that good teams have the ability to win when they are not at their best.

Like everyone else, I’m extremely surprised to see how Punjab has struggled this season after making the final just 12 months ago. It is, by and large, the same team with the same key players and yet they have won just a couple of games. What is the explanation?

No wonder so many coaches are searching for the magic ingredient, the ‘X’ factor which makes the difference between winning and losing. There is very little difference in talent between the eight teams, so what is it? An attitude? A calm head? An enjoyment of tense match situations?

Two of our overseas stars have had rather different tournaments this year. I’m pleased to report that Sunil Narine is working extremely hard on his action in order to ensure it remains legal for every delivery, and we have no doubt whatsoever that the problems are a thing of the past.

Narine has won as many games for Kolkata as anybody, possibly more than anyone else, so he deserves every bit of the support he is currently getting. Far from being worried, I’m excited about his future because I believe he might become an even better bowler. He remains a huge part of this team.

Andre Russell, on the other hand, is in the form of his life — with bat and ball. Just as Robin Uthappa enjoyed a purple patch last year, Andre is producing match-winning performances match after match. He keeps things pretty simple and doesn’t over-analyse. This game can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, and Andre has got the balance exactly right.

Our destiny is in our own hands regarding the final table. Mumbai is never the easiest place to visit although it holds no fears. But both of our last games are against teams who will be desperate to win in order make the play-offs in third or fourth place.

Mumbai will make it if they win the final two but the Rajasthan Royals might not, even if they beat us in the final match. It would be a great pity for them after their amazing start, but there’s no room for sympathy in this tournament, I’m afraid.

— Gameplan/Hawk Eye