IPL 2018 | Andre Russell brings fearlessness to the squad, asserts Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna, who debuted in this year’s IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders, has asserted that the confidence and fearlessness Andre Russell brings to the entire squad was amazing. The 18-year-old bowler has also reckoned that Russell’s experience is vital for any youngster in the squad.
While it was Sunil Narine, who was the cynosure of all eyes in the match between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders with his 36-ball 75 to anchor Kolkata Knight Riders’ 31-run win at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Saturday, Andre Russell bowled the most important spell in the powerplay when KL Rahul and Chris Gayle were threatening to take the game away from the visitors' grasp.
Chasing 246, KXIP openers Gayle and Rahul, put on a fifty-plus (57) partnership before Russell took the wicket of Gayle (21) with a well-directed bouncer and then captured another wicket of Mayank Agarwal (0) on the very next ball of the over. Couple of overs later, he sent back Karun Nair to the pavilion with a beautiful close-in catch near the boundary line by Prasidh Krishna.
Attending the post-match press conference, the 18-year-old Karnataka player Krishna lavished praise on Russell and described why he is the most important member of the team.
“The confidence and fearlessness that he (Russell) brings are amazing. We just love to have him with the team. His experience is vital for the youngsters,” said Prasidh, who has recently selected for India A squad.
The match saw a run-feast by batsmen as a total of 459 runs were scored inside 40 overs and almost every bowler who finished their quota went over an economy rate of 10. However, Krishna’s performance was something different as the youngster spent only 31 runs from his four overs and took a couple of wickets as well. Krishna largely attributed his success to Russell and said the latter's guidance helped him believe more in the plans as well as to stay calm between the overs.
“He (Russell) told me to be calm. I knew which areas were easy for KXIP batsmen. Even if I get hit, I have to make sure it’s according to my plan. Small ground, one big over and the game can change. I just made sure the 24 balls I bowl, they should be as per my plan,” Krishna revealed.
Meanwhile, KXIP’s Andrew Tye, who took four important wickets in the match and increased his wicket tally in this year's IPL to 20, praised his variations for his success.
“I’m a lot more aware, trying not to be too predictable. Batsmen know I’m going to bowl slower deliveries more often than not, so I have to keep coming up with ways to get wickets,” Tye said at the post-match conference.
When asked about the inconsistent middle order of Kings XI Punjab, Tye looked disappointed and replied that they don’t have consistency in batting barring Rahul and Gayle.
“It’s disappointing. Someone other than KL (Rahul) and Chris (Gayle) has to stand up. Aaron Finch showed glimpses of his old self (today) but we need more from him and the other batsmen. We haven’t had consistency in our batting,” he added.