IPL 2024: This franchise means a lot to me – Andre Russell after a match-winning knock against SRH

Kolkata Knight Riders talismanic all-rounder Andre Russell has had a quiet few last seasons in the Indian Premier League. Come the first game for him and the team in IPL 2024, the West Indian showed the destruction he can do with the bat.

After KKR was put into bat by SRH skipper Pat Cummins at Eden Gardens on Saturday, the home team didn’t have an ideal start as they lost four wickets for 51 runs inside eight overs. Ramandeep Singh scored a crucial knock of 35 runs off just 17 balls to get KKR’s innings back on the track.

After the 15-over mark, the projected score for KKR was 175, but anything was possible with Russell at the crease. The hard-hitter scored an unbeaten knock of 64 runs off just 25 balls, laden with three fours and seven sixes, which helped him become the fastest to hit 200 maximums in the IPL.

Russell admitted he hasn’t been at his absolute best in the last couple of seasons in the IPL and the bowlers have worked him out. However, the man with big biceps is ready to show his prowess.

Furthermore, Russell bagged two wickets in his two-over spell. First, he dismissed Abhishek Sharma, bouncing him with a short delivery, and then accounted for Abdul Samad. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round performance.

Russell said in the post-match presentation, “Not really, sometimes stuff pop on my Insta and I realise how well I am striking the ball. Shows that you are doing well. I have tried to react with whatever comes my way. Over the last 2 years, bowlers have their plans against me. I have been digging out the runs, and I know everyone has a plan for me.”

On his journey with KKR, he added, “I was on the bench early on, and just tried to make myself useful. This franchise means a lot to me, what I did tonight was just a way to prove what this jersey means to me. Hopefully I can keep performing this way.”

Russell also showered praise on Harshit Rana for defending 13 runs in the final over as he concluded, “Shows a lot about his character. He told me he wanted the last over, he claimed it and he came back strong after the first ball went for six.”

KKR will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Friday.