IPL 2022 | 'I don't panic when I play dot balls' - Andre Russell

Kolkata Knight Riders have been eliminated from the IPL 2022 playoffs race with their loss over the Lucknow Super Giants at the DY Patil Stadium Wednesday (May 18). However, their veteran all-rounder Andre Russell opened up on his big-hitting ability, which he has been known for over the years. However, Russell spoke about his batting style stating core strength and stable base are the keys to his six-hitting abilities that impressed everyone throughout the years.

Andre Russell, who had been struggling with niggles in the past, said that he worked incredibly hard on his fitness in the lead-up to the IPL 2022. The experienced West Indies star almost single-handedly took the team near the playoffs, scoring 330 runs at a stunning strike rate of 181. Russell has evolved from a not-so-regular bowling option to a regular one for his captain with the ball, picking up 17 wickets as well.

However, in their must-win match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Russell smashed 49 from just 27 balls and picked up 3 wickets to guide his side to seal a big win and keep the playoffs hopes alive.

While speaking to Star Sports ahead of their final league match, Andre Russell said that he would want to contribute more with the bat, but he is hoping for another stunning performance.

"I approach every ball positively, trying to come into a good position, a good base, where I can get boundaries. I think boundaries always, in T20s you have to do that, so I'm confident of making up later. I don't panic if I play a few dot balls early, it's about being positive and I'm confident," the Jamaican all-rounder added.

I have done a lot of push-ups and an awful amount of body stuff, it's about the core is strong. The base is everything, you can't hit the ball on the move and expect it to go 100 meters or something. Even when I step down the track, I ensure that I stay still. The base is the key to power hitting," he again shared.

However, Andre Russell is the only player in IPL 2022 who has scored more than 300 runs and struck more than 10 wickets. But, KKR lost the game by 2 runs, and their poor run in the IPL ended too. He scored a struggling 5 off 11 and couldn't maintain his sublime form in a must-win fixture.