The thirteenth season of the Indian Premier League has been a disappointment for West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell. After crushing bowlers all over the park the previous two seasons, a lot was expected of Russell this season. Kolkata Knight Riders had pinned their hopes on Russell to do well at the 2020 IPL, but Russell hasn’t been in his usual prime as he has struggled with the bat. Meanwhile, problems have worsened for KKR as Russell has also struggled with injuries.
Russell was struggling in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but came back to throw the last over of the game. SRH needed 18 runs with David Warner in the fold. But Russell managed to take the game to the Super Over despite not being at 100%. Ultimately, Russell’s effort paid off when KKR won the match in the Super Over.
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KKR captain Eoin Morgan praised Russell’s spirit of comeback, calling him a superstar artist.
“He went (the Andre Russell talk), he left the field, we thought he was injured, but he came back and said he could go bowling. So it’s obvious that we rely on a player to deliver. He came out of a short race, he does it a lot but he couldn’t execute as well as he would have liked. I thought he showed a lot of character to come back and take us to the supermarket after not starting as well as he would have liked (no ball). He’s been a superstar to us, he’s been such an integral part of the franchise for so long, we need Andre Russell to be in shape, ”Morgan told host station Star Sports after the game.
Morgan also praised pacemaker Lockie Ferguson, who started a total of five wickets (including Super Over) in his first game of the season.
“It’s nice to be part of the Super Over, it gives you an idea of what boys are; especially in high pressure situations. For Lockie Ferguson to get to his first game of the tournament, to perform like he did in the twenty overs and then the Super Over, I think he was outstanding. The hunger and drive he’s shown off the field while waiting for an opportunity are nice, ”Morgan said.
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“We have struggled for wins in the last two games, it didn’t quite work out. We met a side of the Mumbai Indians that was very, very strong. Today was more competitive, but it’s great to perform and overcome the line ”, he added.
KKR is fourth with ten points from nine games after a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad continue in fifth place with six points. They play the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
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