“He said, ‘okay big man, no worries’” - Andre Russell on chat with Rinku Singh after run-out

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell asserted that he was confident of Rinku Singh winning the match for the team against Punjab Kings (PBKS) after he was run out off the penultimate ball.

KKR beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by five wickets in match number 53 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, May 8.

Chasing 180, Russell hammered 42 in 23 balls, hitting three sixes and as many fours. However, he was run out on the penultimate delivery, leaving KKR to get two off the last ball. Rinku (21* off 10) smashed Arshdeep Singh for a four to get Kolkata over the line.

In a post-match press conference, Russell admitted that he would not have attempted that risky run if there was any other batter out in the middle with him.

He commented:

“Definitely. In any other game, with any other batter, I am not sure if I would run. I have never really done those things before. I would back myself to bat the last delivery and to get the job done. But, when you have a guy like Rinku, who has been so successful in the last couple of overs… He is just a fearless player. Wherever you bowl, he has a shot to encounter that.”

Opening up on the discussion he had with Rinku after his dismissal, the big-hitting West Indian revealed:

“I was definitely confident. I gave him a hug and I said to him, ‘listen, bring home the bacon for us because we need these points’. He said, ‘okay big man, no worries’. So happy days.”

KKR skipper Nitish Rana top-scored for the team in the chase with 51. Russell and Rinku then added 54 for the fifth wicket to put their team on top.

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“Rinku is very calm” - Andre Russell

According to Russell, one of the keys to Rinku’s success this season has been the fact that he has been very calm.

Sharing his thoughts on the in-form left-hander, the 35-year-old said:

“The key to what I have been seeing that’s going well for Rinku is he is very calm. When you are a batter, you have to have an open mind and you have to be relaxed. Rinku gets into a position where he can face any delivery and have a shot for it. That’s the key to his success. His technique is very simple."

Urging the cricketer to remain humble, he concluded:

“I have been encouraging him whenever I get a chance to talk to him that you know, ‘stay humble’. No matter how many people are shouting “Russell, Russell”, I always stay humble. When it gets into your head, that’s when you start to lose it. I am very happy for him. He’s a good friend of mine. I love him as a brother. I want him to keep doing what he’s doing.”

In 11 IPL 2023 matches, Rinku has smashed 337 runs at an average of 56.17 and a strike rate of 151.12.