“Another 2-3 cycle …”: KKR star Andre Russell’s intentions are clear about the IPL future

Under-fire Jamaica star Andre Russell silenced critics with a knock winning the match on Sunday and his team partner Varun Chakraborty revealed that the veteran all-rounder “is eager to continue to play in the IPL easily for six more years.” Russell, who recently turned 37, came under investigation for his patch form in this season after the mega auction was maintained by the defending champion for Rs 12 crore in a three -year deal before the mega auction. With only 72 runs out of seven innings at an average of 10.28 with a score of four points, questions were being raised about their place in the side.

However, on Sunday, Jamaica returned the clock with a blazing unbeaten, scoring 57 off 25 balls, giving KKR strength to KKR at the Eden Gardens at the Eden Gardens. The hosts promoted Rajasthan Royals by solitary run in a thrilling Finnish to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Chakraborty said about Russell in the post-match media interaction, “As far as I have talked to him and interacted with him, he still wants to play another 2-3 chakras of IPL which is easily six more years.”

A cycle refers to three sessions between mega auctions, which means that Russell aims to live well in his 40s with KKR if the form and fitness permit.

Chakraborty said, “He looks fine and fit. It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you are able to contribute to the team, this is enough. In franchise cricket, in cricket, they are not going to question you,” Chakravarti said.

Russell promoted the order, initially struggled against spin, scored just 2 runs in his first 9 delivery, as Mahesh Thekshana and Vanindu Hasranga kept the things tight.

But Chakraborty rejected the notion that Russell is a limited batsman who only thrives against speed.

“I think it was his choice. They made that option not to attack the spinners. But it is not the truth, as he cannot hit the spin. He can hammer the spin. We have seen it in the first and even when we practice, he can hammer. Chakravarti, who played, also revealed that he is working on a new seam-up delivery-he has a good impact in Powerplay against India’s opener Yashshvi Jaiswal.

He said, “I started working on it just before the Champions Trophy so that I could bring something new because I bowl the powerplay, so the ball is more new and swinging,” he explained.

“So I thought I could bowl one or two balls that could swing inside and out. So the idea behind it was,” Chakraborty said, who was the leading wickets of India, who was the first in March with nine scalps in his winning Champions Trophy campaign.

With five wins out of 11 matches, KKR will now have to win to give the remaining three matches a chance to make a playoffs.

Chakraborty said that the team has adopted a knockout mentality.

“We have to win all the matches, so it is knocked out for us. We have the mindset that we have to win five knockout matches-every game is a knockout game, we have to bring our A-game here. It is good that we have won.” “This kind of victory will give us speed and self-confidence that we can pull tight matches, and this is what we needed at this time. So, from here, I hope we can pull the next three matches. We have done before. So, we have no excuse.”

(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)