Like it is every season, this time too, Andre Russell will have a crucial role to play if the Kolkata Knight Riders are to go the distance.

In less than 10 hours after arriving from Dubai (via Miami from Jamaica) at around 7.40 on Saturday morning, the Caribbean all-rounder, along with off-spinner Sunil Narine, wasted no time in hitting the Knight Riders nets during the team's practice session in the evening at Eden Gardens.

Joining his fellow Knights a little later in training, Russell loosened up with a few medium-pace deliveries, not bowling at full run-up. But once he got down to batting, there were absolutely no half-measures as quite a few balls landed in the galleries if pitched in his zone.

Like Rinku Singh, the Knights' middle-order mainstay, Russell too had an extended nets session with the bat. He batted for almost an hour, having begun with throwdowns before facing left-arm spinner Anukul Roy and leg-break bowler Varun Chakravarthy.

A little later, Russell wanted the nets of the centre wicket — where he was batting — to be removed. After it was done, it seemed the burly pacer all-rounder was batting with an even better flow.

The Knights shouldn't really ask for more if Russell showcases such rhythm in their season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home next Saturday. Besides, they are learnt to have been fairly pleased with the practice pitches on offer at the Eden.

Like Russell, fellow Caribbean Narine, too, bowled and batted for quite some time at nets. For sure, KKR won't have too many reasons to worry about if both Russell and Narine click.

Knights' captain Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, landed here around 8.30pm. Whether Iyer will be present for Sunday's practice game is still uncertain, but KKR are confident of his availability from their campaign opener itself.

Their "X-factor", Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, is scheduled to arrive at half past 10 on Sunday night.