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IPL 2022: Kolkata Knight Riders count on Andre Russell heroics to stay alive in IPL 2022 playoffs race

KKR star Andre Russell starred with his all-rounder performance against SRH to help his side clinch a massive 54 runs victory.

By Samrat Chakraborty | May 15, 2022 | 2 Min Read

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are hanging by a thread in the crunch race to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 playoffs. Their 54-run victory over SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday helped them to improve their Net Run Rate to +0.160 as they are currently at the sixth spot in the IPL 2022 points table with 12 points. KKR will expect the results of other matches to go in their favour to qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs.

IPL 2022: Andre Russell heroics keeps KKR in the hunt

However, it was all possible due to a one-man show put up by their star all-rounder Andre Russell from the West Indies. Opting to bat, the KKR all-rounder remained unbeaten on 49 runs off 28 deliveries, laced with three boundaries and four hits over the fence, to guide his side to a challenging total of 177/6 in the stipulated 20 overs. In response, Russell showed his bowling prowess as he picked up a three-wicket haul to restrict SRH to 123/8.

IPL 2022: Andre Russell hopes KKR to qualify for the playoffs

At a time when the two-time champions can only hope against hope to qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs, Russell is eager to take his side to the top four. He highlighted that he has a clear mindset while practicing at the nets as he prepares his body to hit every odd ball to the boundary. “When I went out to bat, when they were bowling into the wicket, it was a bit difficult. Our bowling attack pulled them back tonight. The mindset is very clear, I practice to go and do that from ball one. The first ball in the nets, I hit for sixes. I get my body ready for any situation, sometimes it might be tough.

“You have to tough it out at times and stay till the back end, happy tonight. Before the last ball of the 19th over was bowled, I said, “Sunil, try and get a boundary, but let me start the over with the spinner.” Offspinner to a right-hander, it’s like a kid in the candy shop. I got full tosses and I put it away. Hard work paid off today. Good to contribute in both aspects tonight. I’m just going to keep it going, hopefully we can qualify,” Russell said at the post-match interview.