IPL 2022: Knew hard length would work against Andre Russell, says LSG's Avesh Khan after win over KKR

Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) pacer Avesh Khan, who was adjudged 'Player of the Match' for his brilliant performance against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday, said that the idea was to go as fast as he could on a hard length against a red-hot Andre Russell. A superb show by the LSG pace attack led by Avesh Khan (3/19) and Jason Holder (3/31) helped the side clinch a thumping 75-run win over KKR here at the MCA Stadium. It was an extremely forgettable day at work for KKR as only Aaron Finch (14), Andre Russell (45) and Sunil Narine (22) among their batting line-up could touch double figures, and the side surrendered miserably against the LSG attack.

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Lucknow Super Giants surged to the top of Indian Premier League after thrashing Kolkata Knight Riders by 75 runs on Saturday. Kolkata capitulated to the season's second lowest score when they were bowled out for 101 by with more than five overs to spare, while chasing Lucknow's 176/7.

Behind LSG's massive victory was a crucial spell by fast bowler Khan, who dismissed the dangerous Russell. "The attempt was to get Russell out, as he was going well. My aim was going with the hard lengths even if that goes for six. His wicket was the best of the three as he was on top," said Khan at the post-match presentation. "The conversation with other bowlers is to execute plans according to the demands of the situation. We figure out what the track is doing and communicate it to share knowledge," said Khan. KKR won the toss and elected to field first. The Shreyas Iyer-led team got off to a great start as they removed LSG skipper KL Rahul for a duck. But then Deepak Hooda (41) and Quinton de