IPL 2019: ‘I Feel Pressure to Make Fans Happy,’ Says Andre Russell as he Turns 31

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman Andre Russell says he always feel the pressure to keep the fans happy. The cricketer turned 31 on Monday.

Windies batsman Andre Russell has been one of the most explosive batsmen in the ongoing campaign of Indian Premier League (IPL) but even he is not immune to the pressure that comes along with the expectations of the fans. Representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Russell has been his team’s talisman and his most recent exploits were against Mumbai Indians where he knocked a 40-ball 80 to aid his side to a 34-run win against the Rohit Sharma-led side at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

During the course of his innings, Russell smashed eight sixes and six boundaries to help his side break snap a six-match losing streak and take their points tally to 10 points from 12 matches.

In a candid chat with his wife Jassym for IPLT20.com, Russell, who also turned 31 on Monday, said he always feels pressure before he walks out to bat as his ultimate aim is to impress his wife and also make sure the KKR fans return home happy.

“It was a special night for me as well. It’s my birthday. I always feel pressure because I want to make sure the fans are happy and I want to impress my beautiful wife (with) every match,” Russell told Jassym.

Asked about his emotions about playing their last match at home this season, the West Indian said: “It’s an emotional feeling. It was the last game of the season in Kolkata. We knew that we had to leave the fans who have been giving us great support over the last six days with a bang. We surely did, won by 34 runs.”

Russell has so far hit 50 sixes in IPL 2019. When he asked about his wife how she felt about the knock, Jassym said she always knew that Russell was going to perform.

“It felt good. I knew you were going to do that because today is the last match in this ground (Eden Gardens). I expected that from you. I really had my heart in my hands when you were hitting those big sixes,” Jassym said.

With the win, KKR have kept their playoff chances alive. They need to win the remaining two fixtures in order to finish in the top four. They, however, would also hope for favourable results from other matches to make it to the playoffs.

(With IANS Inputs)