Andre Russell | IANS
Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell on Friday (April 5) gave another example of why he is considered among the game's most dangerous power-hitters. The explosive right-hander from West Indies simply dominated the bowling attack versus Royal Challengers Bangalore to snatch an amazing victory from the jaws of defeat for his team.
KKR needed 67 runs from 26 balls when Andre Russell walked up to the crease. The visitors looked unlikely to chase down the target of 206 set by RCB on the back of Virat Kohli (84) and AB de Villiers (63) at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.
But that's when Russell mercilessly hit the ball like only he can to score three sixes in the 18th over. He smashed away four more maximums out of the park in the subsequent over and completely turned the game around in Kolkata's favour. KKR easily won the game with still five balls left.
"A few grounds in Australia and then I surprised myself there by hitting a few into the stands. No ground is big enough for me I guess, I just trust my strength and trust my power. I have good bat speed. I trust that as well," said Russell at the post-match presentation ceremony where he deservingly received the "Player-of-the-Match" award.
"Hand-eye coordination is the key (for low full tosses) as they aren't easy to hit. I try short arm jabs as extending the arms can put you in trouble. Can't explain much, rather show that on the field," he added.
Despite coming into the situation he did, Russell never stopped believing that the stiff target could be overcome and victory achieved. He said, "I was confident when I went out to bat. DK was telling me to take a few balls to see what the wicket was doing. I was watching on TV from upstairs and kind of knew what the wicket was doing. I was thinking about playing this way or that way. It was just one mindset."
"When you need 68 off 20-odd balls, it's not going to happen every day. We needed to make sure we put our bodies on the line. And I didn't quit."
"The nature of T20 is such that one over can change the momentum. That's why I say I never give up. A part of me was saying that the runs needed were too much but anything is possible and eventually, we won with five balls spare," Russell concluded.
(Inputs from PTI)
