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Xtra Time Web Desk: Kolkata Knight Riders Coach Jaques Kallis on Monday said the decision to promote Andre Russell to bat at No 3 against Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens on Sunday was a collective one. The Jamaican made full use of the opportunity to score a blazing 80 runs off 40 balls at a strike rate of 200.00. It was due to the effort of Russell, KKR posted a mammoth total of 232/2 which eventually proved too much for Mumbai. “It was a collective decision to send Andre at Number 3 and fortunately paid off. Last night we had a good start and given their bowling we felt the need to promote Andre in the batting order. We wanted to give the guys in form the best opportunity,” said Kallis at a golf event of the franchise in the city. The former KKR all-rounder supported the views of the franchise CEO Venky Mysore, saying they did not get the conditions they would have preferred. According to Kallis, “The wicket has changed in the last two or three seasons. It was re-laid and that has made a difference. We didn’t seize the key moments that we would have liked to.” Kallis also added, “I think the team has allowed an average year every now and again and we probably had one of those. We are still a good side and compete with the best. But there are lessons to be learnt and I think players themselves will learn a lot of lessons with the situations we have been. We can probably do a little bit better.” The Kolkata franchise missed the services of two young guns Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi. Both these U19 World Cup winners had to miss the IPL 2019 owing to injuries. According to Venky Mysore, the KKR CEO, “Well we certainly hope that both of them will get fit. It is unfortunate at that age and the pace with which they bowl. We certainly hope both of them will be fit for the next season as they are exciting talents.”