Xtra Time Web Desk: Kolkata Knight Riders’ all-rounder Andre Russell do not mince his words and he was honest in admitting that the idea was to take as many runs in the penultimate over against Punjab Kings in the run chase in the IPL 2023 game at Eden Gardens on Monday. Russell smashed three sixes in the 19th over bowled by Sam Curran, thereby reducing the target to only 6 runs from 6 balls.
Talking about his mindset after the match, Russell said, “Honestly, I was just thinking about getting three boundaries in that over. I was just trying to make sure that we go into the last over with the least runs as Arshdeep is a very good death bowler and two-three dot balls can change the game. So, we were thinking about getting as many runs possible in that over. six off six was ideal for us in the last over.”
Both Russell and Rinku Singh managed to take KKR home with the later once again proving his worth as a finisher. Rinku hit the winning boundary off the last ball bowled by Arshdeep. Russell complimented Rinku’s ability to keep a calm head in such a pressure situation.
According to Russell, “What I have noticed in Rinku is he is very calm. When you are batter, you must have an open mind and be relaxed. You cannot expect only a full pitch delivery. You must expect all kinds of deliveries — a slower one, slower wide ball, a yorker, a short one… and Rinku gets into a position from where he can face any delivery and have a shot for it. That is the key to his success.”
He added, “His technique is very simple and the way he picks up his bat at everything, it has been going good for him so I’ve been encouraging whenever I get a chance to talk to him. I always tell him to stay humble… it does not matter how many people shouting Russell, Russell, Russell, I always stay humble because when it gets into your head, that is when you start to lose it. I’m very happy for him and he is a good friend of mine, a very funny guy. I love him as a brother. I just want him to keep doing what he is doing, and keep being consistent.”