Andre Russell has acknowledged the support Kolkata Knight Riders kept in him over the years and hopes it will continue be the case following his latest exploits that set the base for their thrilling four-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL 2024 match on Saturday night.
In a show of brute force, Russell blasted seven sixes and three fours in his unbeaten 25-ball 64 that lifted KKR from 119/6 to 208/7 in 20 overs at the Eden Gardens.
Russell wasn’t done though as with his right-arm pace, he picked up a couple of wickets to leave his mark with the ball too. KKR defended the target despite a late blitz from Heinrich Klaasen who threatened to steal the spotlight from Russell with an equally destructive innings of 63.
When asked if he ever keeps a tab on his incredible strike-rate, Russell said, “Not really, sometimes stuff pop on my Instagram and I realise how well I am striking the ball which is a cool reminder that shows you are doing well.”
Russell said he tries to react to the deliveries on offer and not premeditate his shots. “I just try to react to whatever comes my way. Over the last two years, bowlers have been exceptionally well bowling to me, they’ve plans against me. I have been digging out the runs at the backend. I realise everyone has a plan for me so I have to be ready,” he said.
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Russell then took a trip down the memory lane recalling his journey with KKR that began in 2014.
“At the start I was on the bench early on and just tried to make myself useful and since I have been a permanent fixture. I am just happy to keep contributing. This franchise means a lot to me. They’ve showed faith and confidence in me. What I did tonight is just to say keep supporting,” he said.
Russell also praised young fast bowler Harshit Rana for keeping his cool in pressure situation. The 22-year-old Rana was asked to defend 13 runs against a marauding Klaasen and he aced the test with flying colours.
“His (Rana’s) body language was on point in the last over. He wanted the ball. Shows a lot about his character. He told me he wanted the last over, he claimed it and did deliver for us. First ball went for six but he came back strong and get the job done,” Russell said.
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