Mumbai: Speaking exclusively on Star Sports Cricket Live, Kolkata Knight Riders player Andre Russell talked on Sunil’s preferences on representing West Indies in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, said, “Yeah, I definitely think so, I was trying to get in his head before the squad announced for like two weeks straight. Rutherford and I tried to talk to him and say just for this World Cup, then you can retire do whatever you want to do. Though he’s the missing puzzle, I think he made his decision and I respect his decision as well, as a big man and as a player that do well. I think if he could change that decision the whole West Indies would be happy.”
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports Cricket Live, Kolkata Knight Riders player Andre Russell talked on his West Indian mate Sunil’s performance in this season of IPL, said, “I’m so happy for Sunil to be honest. I think when Gautam Gambhir got back and said that he needed him to open the batting because based on our batting line-up, I think batting him at 9th or 10th position, and he has no use at the back end there, what he can do at the top order as an opener. So, I think giving the opportunity and he’s taking it and doing a good job as well for us. I think getting close to 500 runs is no joke, being a premier bowler that is going to look to bowl four overs and has 16 wickets under his belt in this season as well, that just goes to show the true all-roundership in him. I’m very happy for him and Gautam Gambhir giving him that opportunity as well, I think that was a good decision for the team.”
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports Cricket Live, Kolkata Knight Riders player Andre Russell talked about on his comeback in this season of IPL, said, “I am just more disciplined and trying to do the things that are uncomfortable a bit, that’s actually in terms of going to the gym, and trying to do it every other day and trying to get my legs stronger because I’ve been struggling with knee injuries for the last couple of years and sometimes you take a lot of things for granted. When thousands and millions of fans worldwide watching games, seeing you not performing or getting injured, I think it’s not good and I look into myself and I think me and the gym, we are the best friends, so I think that’s why I’m more fit in this season.”
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports Cricket Live, KKR player Andre Russell talked about his expectations from the Chennai pitch for the IPL’s final match, said, “I think Chennai is a big ground, kind of a weird condition, you don’t know what to expect. The last time we played there against Chennai, the wicket looked good. I didn’t expect the wicket to play the way it did. It was on the slower side, but when you look at CSK’s bowling attack, they bowl well on that wicket. They use the wicket well, so I think it’s good to have that experience going into the finals. We know how we need to bowl, utilise our cutters, and try not to go for yorkers and those sorts of things. It’s the type of pitch and ground where you can bowl into the wicket, even in the death overs. We have to go about it as smartly as possible, taking it one game at a time. I think when the time comes, we’ve been adjusting well as a bowling unit. If the wicket is a bit slow, we can use power cutters but not be too predictable. I’m there to help the youngsters as well. We have a very good young bowling lineup with myself and Sunil. These guys are interested in learning, and that’s the best thing.”
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports Cricket Live, KKR player Andre Russell shared his thoughts on who he wants to play against in the IPL final match, said, “I’ve had a chat with the guys during team meetings and I said that to be the champion, you have to beat the best teams. Playing Sunrisers and the way we went about our business in the first qualifier, I think we are ready for any opponent. I’m kind of worried about how cricket is, where you beat a team two times in the league stage and then in the most important game, the finals, things can just turn the other way. Definitely, I’m not going to say on live camera that I want to play the Rajasthan Royals or any other team, but who knows.”
