IPL 2022: I know what I can do, says Andre Russell

Andre Russell felt "awesome" while hitting those eight monster sixes against Punjab Kings as he always knew what he needed to do when he walked in with Kolkata Knight Riders' score reading 51 for four. Russell scored an unbeaten 70 off 31 balls and what looked like a tricky chase at one point ended in an anti-climax as the big Jamaican muscled sixes into the stands. "Feeling awesome, this is the reason why we play the game. In that position, I know what I can do," Russell said after the match.

Read AlsoIPL 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings: Umesh Yadav's pace, Andre Russell's power too hot for Punjab Kings

Umesh Yadav's 4/23 and Andre Russell's unbeaten 70 off 31 balls steered Kolkata Knight Riders to a six-wicket over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League on Friday. The West Indian hit eight towering sixes to stay unbeaten on 31-ball 70. KKR bowlers never allowed the Punjab batters to settle

Russell had indicated to his partner Sam Billings that once he was nicely warmed up, he will go for the shots. "It was good to have someone at the crease like Sam who can rotate and help us stick through the tough time. Once I started sweating, I just said that I am gonna go. I backed my ability and that's what I did tonight. I am happy to bring the team over the line." The strategy was to see off Rahul Chahar's spell as left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar didn't seem threatening. "I knew we were the two guys who'll definitely look to get a partnership. I told Sam, 'listen, let's just bat a few overs and see what happens.' But we had to attack earlier because the left-arm orthodox wasn't spinning the ball and nothing was happening.

"So we decided to take charge from one end and look to get singles from the other end.