'He's one of the guys who can do special things' - Tim Southee in awe of Andre Russell's splendid IPL 2022 form

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell was one of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ mandatory retentions before the IPL 2022. He has been the team’s most consistent performer both with the bat and the ball. KKR are still mathematically in the playoff race courtesy of their big wins over the Mumbai Indians and the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Russell has made valuable contributions in both games.

Heaping praise on his ability to pull off special things, his KKR teammate Tim Southee said that the power-hitter always comes up with impactful performances just when the team needs him to do so. Furthermore, he said that Russell’s stand along with Sam Billings against SRH was crucial with the wicket getting tougher to bat in the second innings.

‘He turns in a performance that the team needs’ – Tim Southee on Andre Russell

“He (Russell) has been tremendous throughout the whole tournament and has been good for such a long period of time not only with the bat but with the ball as well. There are a few guys around the world that can do special things and Andre Russell’s one of those guys. He thrives on those moments and more times than not, he turns in a performance that the team needs”, said Tim Southee as quoted by KKR’s official website.

“Their partnership was crucial. We were off to a pretty good start but then we lost a few wickets but that partnership we needed to have. Two experienced guys coming together who grabbed the game for us and got us to a very competitive total, probably one that was over-par. We played here a couple of days ago so we knew the wicket was going to be the same and be tougher in the second innings”, he added.

While Russell could only score nine against MI, he made amends with the ball and registering figures of 2/22 from his 2.3 overs which was instrumental in Kolkata’s huge 52-run win. More importantly, the ace all-rounder showcased a complete performance in the very next game against SRH as he scored an unbeaten 28-ball 49 and then rattled SRH’s batting attack with brilliant figures of 3/22 that helped KKR register a 54-run win. Russell was also adjudged as the Player of the Match.