One year ban has made me more humble- Andre Russell

Andre Russell’s blitzkriegs helped Kolkata Knight Riders post a total of 202 for the loss of six wickets. Coming in at number 7, Russell provided them the momentum and the advantage they needed.

Jamaican allrounder’s power-hitting in a 36-ball 88 not out, made look the road to victory for KKR look easy.

But fortunes turned at Chepauk when Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led CSK registered a win by 5 wickets with a ball to spare.

In the post-match press conference, Russell said that he had cautioned his teammates not to get carried away by their total, but he felt that the bowlers could have bowled much better than they did.

“I have played a lot of T20s and seen big scores being chased. It was important to start well and bowl tight and keep getting wickets,” he said.

CSK kept wickets in hand before Sam Billings and Dhoni set it for the final finish. Vinay Kumar gave away plenty of runs as CSK got 17 runs with a ball to spare.

“My confidence level is high and once you are confident in the sport, that is all you need to keep you going,” he added.

Refraining from doping test kept Russell away from on-field action for one year.

“This one year, it has made me a better person. I have learned a lot and I have become more humble.”

“I am in a good condition, won’t say 100 percent, but I am happy. With a few more games, I think I will be able to achieve what I want to achieve, ” he added.

He also discussed the pitfalls that took the game away from KKR.

He asserted, “We were not able to take wickets. Had we managed to take a few more wickets inside first few overs, we would have been in better position.”