IPL 2019 | I just trust my strength and power, claims Andre Russell

Kolkata Knightriders pulled off a memorable five-wicket win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday night as Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore fell to their fifth straight defeat in the ongoing season of the IPL. At one point, the match looked to have slipped out of the visiting team’s hands after Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana put them in a good position in the early stages of the second innings.

However, a staggering 13-ball 48* from all-rounder Andre Russell ensured that the Kolkata-based franchise takes home all points and jump to second in the IPL rankings table. Russell, who has amassed a total of 207 runs this season, revealed that no ground in the world is big enough for him due to his trust in his own abilities.

"A few grounds in Australia and then I surprised myself there by hitting a few into the stands. No ground is big enough for me I guess, I just trust my strength and trust my power. I have good bat speed. I trust that as well.

"Hand-eye coordination is the key (for low full tosses) as they aren't easy to hit. I try short arm jabs as extending the arms can put you in trouble. Can't explain much, rather show that on the field," Russell said at the post-match interview last night.

The Windies all-rounder has an unbelievable strike rate of 268.83 this season and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Russell has now taken his sixes tally in IPL 2019 to 22. The towering Caribbean cricketer has just faced 77 balls and is striking a six every 3.5 deliveries.

"I was confident when I went out to bat. DK was telling me to take a few balls to see what the wicket was doing. I was watching on TV from upstairs and kind of knew what the wicket was doing. I was thinking about playing this way or that way. It was just one mindset.

"When you need 68 off 20-odd balls, it's not going to happen every day. We needed to make sure we put our bodies on the line. And I didn't quit. The nature of T20 is such that one over can change the momentum. That's why I say I never give up. A part of me was saying that the runs needed were too much but anything is possible and eventually, we won with five balls spare," Russell added.