Andre Russell recently spoke about his 13-ball 48 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. He revealed that it was Kohli’s animated celebration that instigated him for this innings.
Russell reveals
Andre Russell is a famous face in the circuit of Indian Premier League. The KKR all-rounder often took the game away from the opposition at the deal. Even in the previous season many times he repeated the same with his big-hitting. In one such occasion, he scored a 13-ball 48 against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore. He recalled how Kohli’ reaction after Dinesh Karthik’s dismissal helped him make that big score.
“Dinesh Karthik got one boundary or two then he got out. He hit the ball and I think Virat Kohli took the catch. Virat Kohli turned to Venky (KKR CEO Venky Mysore) where all the wives and KKR supporters were and he is like ‘come on’. When I looked up, like something triggered in my head like, hell no this is not over.”
Russell’s request to Gill
He further added that after the dismissal of Karthik, the KKR captain, Russell told young Shubman Gill to give him as much strike as possible. Russell was clear about his intention and accordingly produced those big sixes. “When Shubman Gill walked out, I said hey listen I am gonna take down anybody that bowls. Anyone who comes on I am gonna take them down. So just try to give me as much strike as possible. He said, ‘anything you say big man’, Boom. Since then, the game, it was like six after six and every time I was hitting a six I was not even looking at the scoreboard because sometimes you get carried away with the crowd and everything.”
Russell and Gill shared an unbeaten partnership of 53 runs out of which Gill has the chance to contribute only three. “Every time after hitting a six I would go to Shubman, punch the gloves with him and go back to take as much deep breath as possible, that allows you to become calm. Looking around is like a waste of energy,” he added.
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