“I’m gonna do something special”: KKR’s Andre Russell feeling positive about IPL 2021 ahead of first training session

Andre Russell: The star West Indian all-rounder has hit the ground running in Chennai to prepare for Indian Premier League 2021.

In a massive development for Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, all-rounder Andre Russell has ended a seven-day quarantine period to join the squad for his first practice session ahead of the 14th season of the tournament beginning from April 9.

Knight Riders shared the development via a video posted across their social media handles. “Feels a bit lazy. But that’s what happens when you are in your room for seven days. You can’t really do much apart doing some squats, push ups. Good to be back in some fresh air,” Russell said in the video with respect to joining his teammates after a seven-day gap.

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Russell, 32, had registered a disappointing IPL 2020 season in the UAE scoring just 117 runs in nine innings at an average and strike rate of 13 and 144.44 respectively. With the ball in hand, Russell’s six wickets had come at an average and economy rate of 29.16 and 9.72 respectively.

Andre Russell feeling positive about IPL 2021

Russell, who will be playing his seventh IPL season for Knight Riders, is a sure-starter in their Playing XI despite his performance in the last season. In 57 IPL innings for KKR since IPL 2014, Russell’s 1,459 runs have come at an average and strike rate of 31.04 and 184.22 respectively which also comprises of eight half-centuries.

In the same period, Russell has dismissed 60 batsmen at an economy and strike rate of 8.82 and 16.82 respectively. Being asked about his excitement for the imminent season, Russell revealed that he has a “good feeling” about IPL 2021.

“Yeah, can’t wait [for IPL 2021 to begin]. Actually, I have a good feeling about this year. So, KKR fans, you know that I’m gonna do something special for you guys.” Russell added.

In addition to Russell and his West Indian teammate in Sunil Narine, KKR had also acquired the services of two more overseas all-rounders in IPL 2021 auction in Bangladesh’ Shakib Al Hasan and Australia’s Ben Cutting.

Knight Riders, who finished as the fifth-ranked team in IPL 2020, will kick-start this season’s campaign against SunRisers Hyderabad on April 11 in Chennai.