IPL 2019: Runs Needed Were Too Much But I Wanted To Fight: Andre Russell

When Andre Russell came out to bat, Kolkata Knight Riders were reeling at 153 for 5 in the 16th over against Royal Challengers Bangalore while chasing an improbable total of 206.  In the following over Dinesh Karthik departed too, leaving the Knight Riders to score 53 from the last three overs. But the complexion of the game changed when Russell hit a beamer from Mohammed Siraj for a maximum.

That six not only gave Russell the momentum but also forced Royal Challengers to change their bowlers as Siraj was stopped from bowling after delivering his second beamer in the game.Marcus Stoinis then conceded two more sixes as Russell brought down the equation to 30 from the last two. In the 19th over, he hit Tim Southee for four sixes and a four to collect 29 before Shubman Gill scored a single on the final ball to power the Knight Riders to a stunning win. In the end, Russell remained unbeaten on 48 off just 13 balls with the help of 7 sixes and a four.

Earlier in the game, fifties from Virat Kohli and A de Villiers’ whirlwind fifties guided Royal Challengers Bangalore to a daunting 205 for 3 – their highest score this season so far.  Asked to bat first, the Royal Challengers were off to a good start with openers Parthiv Patel and Kohli adding 64 runs for the first wicket inside 8 overs.

Kohli scored 84 while de Villiers scored 63. The two added 108 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for the big total.

FIFTY!@imVkohli looks in ominous touch today as brings up his half-century off 31 deliveries. #VIVOIPL #RCBvKKR pic.twitter.com/Evva9mWNz0

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2019

Speaking at the end of the game, Andre Russell said that he was confident when he came to bat in the precarious situation.

“I was confident when I went out to bat. DK was telling me to take a few balls to see how the pitch is behaving. I was watching in the dugout on TV and had a fair idea. When you need 68 off 20-odd balls, it doesn’t happen everyday. Need to put your body on the line. The nature of T20 is such that one over can change the momentum. That’s why I never give up,” said Andre Russell.

Inhuman power, the bat swing of a Beast?

For giving the crowd plenty of catches, match-winner @Russell12A is your Man of The Match ? #RCBvKKR pic.twitter.com/aF0vvPsTgJ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2019

Buoyed by his current form, Russell also ended up issuing a warning to all the teams, saying that no ground is big enough for him.

“A part of me was saying that the runs needed were too much but I wanted to fight and eventually, we won with five balls spare. The support is good from the boys and I am in a good space so that I can express myself. No ground is big enough for me I guess, I just trust my power,” he said.