Follow UsKolkata Knight Riders recorded their fifth win in 11 league matches after a nail-biting victory against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens on Monday, May 8. The home team restricted the Kings to 179 runs on a good batting surface courtesy off a three-wicket haul by Varun Chakaravarthy.
In reply, Nitish Rana laid a solid foundation for the home team with a sublime half-century before Andre Russell and Rinku Singh smashed some big blows in the back end of the innings to help the team get over the line.
While the West Indian batter scored 42 off 23 deliveries, the southpaw was unbeaten on 21 off 10 balls to help the team move to fifth position in the points table.
With 26 runs required in the last two overs, Russell took the attack to Sam Curran and hit three sixes to amass 20 runs off the over. In the post-match press conference, the all-rounder revealed the plan of the side in the back end of the innings and said, "Honestly, I was just thinking about getting three boundaries from the 19th over."
"The plan was to go into the last over with the least runs needed because Arshdeep is a very good death bowler. We got the boundaries and the sixes which really put the icing on the cake for us," he said.
The 35-year-old was run out on the penultimate delivery, trying to steal a bye and admitted he wouldn't take the single if it wasn't Rinku at the other end.
"In any other game, with any other batter, I am not sure if I would run. I have never really done those things before. I would back myself to bat the last delivery and to get the job done."
"But, when you have a guy like Rinku, who has been so successful in the last couple of overs. He is just a fearless player. Wherever you bowl, he has a shot to encounter that delivery."
"I was definitely confident. I gave him a hug, and I said to him, ‘Listen, bring home the bacon for us because we need these points," Russell added.
The designated finisher for the Knight Riders for numerous years, Russell is happy to share the responsibility with another emerging superstar, Rinku this season.
The southpaw has scored 337 runs in 11 innings at an average of 56.17 and a strike rate of 151.1 to power the team over the line in a number of tense finishes.
"The key to what I have been seeing that’s going well for Rinku is he is very calm. When you are a batter, you have to have an open mind and you have to be relaxed. Rinku gets into a position where he can face any delivery and have a shot for it."
"That’s the key to his success because the technique is very simple. The way he picks up the bat is good, and it has been going well for him. I have been encouraging him whenever I get a chance to talk to him that, you know, stay humble."
"No matter how many people are shouting “Russell, Russell”, I always stay humble. When it gets into your head, that’s when you start to lose it. I am very happy for him. He’s a good friend of mine and a very funny guy. I love him as a brother. I want him to keep doing what he’s doing and keep being consistent," he concluded.
Kolkata Knight Riders will now host Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, May 11, at Eden Gardens.