IPL 2018: Dope ban changed me as a cricketer, says Andre Russell

Russell's knock was designed by 11 sixes and a solitary four.

Russell scored 88 off 36 in a losing cause. (IANS)

Andre Russell was one of the two cricketers retained ky Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2018  auctions.  This IPL season marks his cricket return after being banned from the game due to his involvement in a dope ban. 

Russell made a grand comeback to cricket as he scored an unbeaten 88 to take KKR from 89 for 5 to 202 at the end of their 20 overs. 
 
KKR, however, lost the match due to CSK's mighty batting potential taking them across the line at Chepauk. First Shane Watson (42) and Ambati Rayudu (39) added a 75 run opening stand inside 6 overs and towards the end it was the late surge from Sam Billings (56) which took CSK to a win and maintain their streak in the first two games. 

Meanwhile, Andre Russell as per PTI has said that the dope ban imposed on him has changed him as a cricketer and has made him humble. 

"I think this one year I lost has made me a different person," Russell, who hit 11 sixes in his 36-ball-88 for KKR said after his team's five-wicket defeat against CSK.

"I have learnt how to be humble. I need to make sure that you stay on top of what you are doing as a professional and yet be humble. I just want to ensure that these things don't happen again," Russell said.

"I think I am confident. My confidence level is very high. Once you have confidence in whatever sport you play that's all you need, that self-belief. But I think, I am in good condition. I wouldn't say that I am 100 percent fit. I am happy that I am hitting well and bowling with pace. So I know in a few more games, I will be where I want to be," he added. 

Russell will continue to be the vital cog in KKR's wheel this season. He is the current orange cap holder with 103 runs from the first two matches. His Windies teammate Dwyane Bravo is second on the list with 79 runs from the same number of matches. 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 11 Apr, 2018

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