With the crowd standing in anticipation and waiting, Andre Russell was given the honor of ringing the bell at the Eden Gardens ahead of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ clash with the Gujarat Titans on Saturday afternoon/evening.
It was Andre Russell’s birthday, and the 34-year-old was given this golden opportunity for the loyal service he’s provided KKR and its fans since making his IPL debut back in 2012.
Andre Russell made the evening more special, for himself and the KKR fans as he cracked 34 runs off 19 balls, a strike rate of 178, the second-best in the KKR innings after Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s belligerent knock of 81 off 39 balls. Andre Russell’s blockbuster finish included 2 fours and 3 jaw-dropping, sensational sixes.
He hit two sixes to ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan, shedding the worries about Rashid taking a hat-trick which included Russell’s wicket when the two sides met earlier this season, and one six to Mohammed Shami in the last over. That six to Shami in the last over was certainly the biggest of the three, with Shami missing his length and Andre Russell launching him over long-on.
WATCH: Birthday-boy Andre Russell’s gigantic six to Shami
ICYMI!
Birthday Boy @Russell12A smokes one out of the park 💥 🥳#TATAIPL | #KKRvGT pic.twitter.com/DmQbN3tRBJ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 29, 2023
Here is the video of Andre Russell’s innings:
In the mid-innings break, birthday boy Andre Russell had a brief chat with the broadcasters where he talked about KKR being a few short of the par score, and also how he’s treated like a family at KKR.
“Feeling good. I think looking at the scoreboard Im not that happy but we have good bowlers. This looks like a 190-200 wicket, we are maybe short. We just need to bowl to our plans. Im backing each and every bowler and myself with the ball. (On playing at Eden) Means a lot, the love I get from the fans is crazy when Im in Kolkata. This franchise is like family to me,” the West Indian said.
KKR posted a total of 179/7 which seems 10-15 short of a good total on this good batting surface in Kolkata. GT have an in-form batting line-up and they also have depth. KKR will need a strong, collective effort from their bowlers to defend this total.
