‘Rona nahi hai Andre Bhai’ – Fans react as Andre Russell says KKR has done more for him than his country

With three victories in their first seven games of the 2023 Indian Premier League, the Kolkata Knight Riders have had a patchy season. The team has struggled with batting, and the absence of preferred skipper Shreyas Iyer raised more questions. The fact that Andre Russell, one of the KKR’s most explosive batters, is having a difficult time at the plate doesn’t help the team’s cause. Russell has only managed 108 runs overall in 8 games, a dismal average of 18.

However, Russell did bowl all four of his allotted overs in the team’s previous match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking two wickets and giving up 29 runs. The Knight Riders will now be hoping that great all-rounder Russell can also convert his performances with the bat. Russell’s spell proved essential to KKR’s victory.

‘KKR actually make things happen for me’ – Andre Russell

Nevertheless, Russell has remained one of KKR’s most crucial players. Russell, a team member since 2014, gained notoriety for his powerful hitting during the competition; in the 2019 version, Russell finished with 510 runs to his credit with an astounding strike rate of 204.81. However, Russell has experienced knee problems in recent years. In an interview with Star Sports, the West Indian revealed how the Knight Riders assisted him in getting better.

“Where I was, a few years ago, KKR actually make things happen for me where they sent me to get proper treatments on my knees. That’s something special to me, to be honest. No other franchise or even my country never really invest that much on me,” Russell said.

“I’m happy here. I don’t see any other franchise I would love to be a part of in this tournament because I’ve been here for about 9 years now. Been here for so many years; I meet these guys, get closer to them every year. When cricket isn’t there, I’m still in communication with Mr Venky (Mysore). I look up to him; I really respect him,” the all-rounder further stated.

Here’s how fans reacted to Andre Russell’s statements: 

Wo bi toh west indies se jyada kkr ke liye khela hai what's the big deal?

— Satyam (@kumar_satyumm) April 29, 2023

https://twitter.com/SavageCreature/status/1652225712194203649

https://twitter.com/ios_pypy/status/1652225677725433856

https://twitter.com/hitman_Rohit_07/status/1652226045641383938

So please do something good for KKR by leaving it.

— Junaid Khawar (@jjkhawar) April 29, 2023

https://twitter.com/parth_jani7/status/1652234435541213187

https://twitter.com/savagestranger3/status/1652225809174634496

https://twitter.com/imSatyam__/status/1652230576295006210