IPL 2022 | 'It's like a kid in the candy shop,' Andre Russell on Washington Sundar bowling the last over

On Saturday (May 14), Kolkata Knight Riders delivered a dominating performance in a must-win encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Andre Russell was the wrecker-in-chief for the Knight Riders as they registered a 54-run victory at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

Coming to bat at number seven, Russell hammered not out 49 runs off just 28 balls. His exploits took the team to a good score of 177 runs in their 20 overs. Speaking about the same, Russell credited his positive mindset and good net sessions.

The West Indies Stalwart praised the KKR bowlers as they conceded only 123 runs in the second innings. Andre was also the pick of the bowler for the two-time champion as he scalped three wickets in the form of Kane Williamson, Washington Sundar and Marco Jansen. 

"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," Russell said during the post-match presentation. 

One of the turning points of the KKR vs SRH encounter was the spinner Sundar bowling the last over to the dynamic all-rounder. It seemed like a calculation error by the SRH skipper as he took a big risk of handing the ball to the off-spinner in the final over of the first innings. 

Sundar conceded 20 runs in the final, with Russell hammering him for three massive sixes. When questioned about the same, the 34-year-old took a hilarious jibe. Meanwhile, Russell is hopeful that KKR will make it to the second round. 

KKR's qualification chances are hanging by a thread in IPL 2022. The team needs to win its last league match against Lucknow Super Giants by a good margin. Also, they will have to rely on other teams' performances, including Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings. 

"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.' Off-spinner 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," Andre Russell concluded.