KKR vs SRH: Andre Russell Is A True Match-Winner- Virender Sehwag

Former Indian player Virender Sehwag lavished praise on Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell after the West Indies star displayed sheer brilliance in the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday (May 14).

Russell’s all-round show helped KKR register a convincing 54-run win against the Orange Army at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. With the win, KKR keeps their IPL 2022 playoffs chances afloat as they move up to the sixth spot in the table with 12 points in 13 matches with a +0.160 net run rate (NRR).

KKR vs SRH: Andre Russell scored 49* with bat and picks 3/22 with the ball

Russell hit 28-ball 49, including three fours and four sixes, striking at 175 to propel KKR to 117/6 at the end of the innings. The Jamaican power-hitter clobbered three sixes off Washington Sundar in the final over.

Russell also led the bowling with figures of 3/22 to surpass teammate Umesh Yadav’s tally of 16 wickets and became the most wicket-taker for the Knight Riders this season. Russell castled SRH skipper Kane Williamson while the latter attempted to play a scoop shot in the final over of the Powerplay.

Russell bowled a slower one to Sundar as the batter miscued a pull to hand a comfortable catch to Venkatesh Iyer at deep backward square leg. He induced Marco Jansen’s thin edge for Sam Billings to pouch one behind the wickets in the 18th over and ended his marvelous spell by conceding six runs in the final over of the game.

Andre Russell has been KKR’s top performer: Virender Sehwag

Russell was KKR’s first-choice retained player for INR 12 crore in the IPL 2022 players retention list. Sehwag said that the West Indies all-rounder is a top performer of the franchise and thus they invest so much money in him.

“Andre Russell has been KKR’s top performer. He has contributed with both bat and ball. This is why they pay him a hefty paycheck and retain him every year. There was a period when he had issues with his fitness but despite that, he has been a top contributor. He is a true match-winner,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. 

KKR will play their final league stage fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 18 at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Also Read: KKR vs SRH: Hard Work Paid Off Today, Good To Contribute In Both Aspects Tonight – Andre Russell