IPL 2018 | Every game moving forward has been like a final, says Andre Russell

Despite early hiccups, KKR managed to post a competitive target of 169/7 against RR in the Eliminator, which eventually proved to be too much for the visiting team. Riding on the brilliant unbeaten 25-ball 49 from Andre Russell along with a timely 52 from Dinesh Karthik, KKR had set the tone of the match batting first. 

Russell, who was adjudged the man of the match for his heroics with the bat and bowl, stated that the road to the Eliminator hasn’t been easy for them and every game has been seen as a must-win. 

"It feels very good. It has been a hectic road since the game against KXIP. Every game moving forward has been like a final," Russell said in the post-match presentation, as quoted by India Today.

Russell came into bat when KKR were struggling at 106 for 5 in 14.2 overs. He changed the course of the match with three fours and five sixes and gave the control to KKR. After being absent from the sport for a year following his doping saga, KKR had done brilliantly to retain him and the Windies player insisted that he has always believed in his abilities and backed himself to clear the fence. 

"We know how important this was and it feels good to have contributed with the bat and the ball. (On his batting prowess) I think it is just a clear head. You get a short ball, you get a slower ball or a wide ball, you try to play a shot accordingly. It is about having a still base. I try to swing hard and believe in my ability. I have some good sticks as well," he said.

Royals looked comfortable while chasing for most of the game with Sanju Samson, who scored 38-ball 50, and Ajinkya Rahane, 46 off 41 balls, looking well settled. However, as soon as Samson was sent back to the pavilion by Piyush Chawla, no one else looked comfortable to keep RR in the hunt. With the required run rate climbing up and the set batsmen out, Royals, who had a thin middle order, failed to recover.

Russell, who did brilliantly with the bowl as well to give away just 22 runs in three overs, stated that he didn’t mind finishing the innings for KKR and then, bowling the first over. He insisted that KKR could not take anything for granted from now on and they needed to be on top of their abilities in the coming games.  

"I think it is good to take responsibility as a senior player. I don't mind smashing and finishing the innings off and then come and bowl the first over. It was a good game for all of us. As I said, every game from here on is a final and we cannot take anything for granted. It is going to be a new game with a new ball and we will have to start on the front foot," he said on being asked leading the KKR bowling attack.