Upon his arrival in Kolkata, KKR star all-rounder Andre Russell was quick to share his plans with the media as to how will he approach this new IPL season for his franchise. Russell and Sunil Narine were the two Carribean stars who were retained by the franchise ahead of the 2018 IPL auctions. 

He is down to training with Usain Bolt's physio whom he rated very highly. "Eddie used to be Usain Bolt's physio. We all know Bolt is the fastest man in the world, I am the second (laughs) so yeah like to be anywhere close to his fitness, you need guys like Edward around you. He is my personal physio," Russell said after joining the KKR camp. 

Regarding how he has maintained his fitness in the meantime that he was away from cricket Russell said  "It's been tough to be honest. You want to do things but you can't. You restrict yourself from doing it to be a better player, to be a better athlete and person," Russell said about his lifestyle.

"Like a lot of partying, drinking you know all those bad habits. I am not saying I am perfect, but I am working on it and it's been treating me well. I am looking fit," the 29-year-old added.

Asked about KKR's squad this season, Russell said the two-time champions have quality young players in their ranks and if all of them step up to the plate, the team can do well.

"It's fantastic. We have a lot of young talent. We should do really well. Once everyone steps up the plate, it will be good enough."

On new KKR  skipper  Dinesh Karthik who hit a whirlwind eight-ball 29 against Bangladesh in the recently concluded tri-series in Sri Lanka, Russell said he is looking forward to working with the Indian wicketkeeper.

"(I am) excited to work with him. I have played against him. I will be sharing the dressing room with him and taking his instructions. It should be interesting," Russell signed off.

KKR play their opening encounter of IPL 2018 against RCB on 8th April at Eden Gardens.