IPL 2022

Watch : “I want to free myself” – Andre Russell looks forward to repaying KKR’s trust in him during IPL 2022

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West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell intends to silence the critics by killing the negativity with kindness in IPL 2022. The 33-year-old reported for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday and took part in his first training session after completing a three-day quarantine.

Franchise CEO Venky Mysore has often spoken highly of the Caribbean international. Russell was sent to Dallas by the management to work on his fitness as well as his mindset. And now, the all-rounder intends to repay the faith after being chosen as their first retention pick.

In a video uploaded by KKR’s social media team, Russell said:

“I am proud to be back. With this badge over my heart. During the last few seasons, you know, there has been a lot of talks. A lot has been said about me. But, what I will do to silence them, is perform. You know, kill the negativity with kindness. And do what I do best in the middle. With the bat, with the ball, take brilliant catches,

“You know, my mindset is in the right place now, KKR has shown confidence in me. My ambition is all about making sure I do whatever it takes, whatever is necessary to make sure KKR get over the line. It is all about having fun, and enjoying every moment once I enter the field during the big games, you get to showcase yourself and dominate in those games as well.”

In the previous edition of the IPL, Russell primarily played the role of the finisher with the bat. He was the primary death bowler for KKR and recorded his first five-wicket haul in the format in a contest against the Mumbai Indians.

 

Heading into his ninth season with KKR, the all-rounder is one of the most senior members in the dressing room. He was last seen in the Bangladesh Premier League, representing the Minister Group Dhaka franchise.

Opining that he will return to the drawing board if he stumbles, the Caribbean added:

“I want to free myself, do what I want to do, and make sure that I am happy. And if I fail, I go back to the drawing board, I will put in the work, assess where I went wrong in the last game, figure what I can do better and execute that in the next match. Simple.”

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“I know I can bat anywhere and contribute to the team” – Nicholas Pooran excited to work with Brian Lara in IPL

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Twenty six year old Nicholas Pooran was bought by Sunrises Hyderabad for INDRs. 10.75 crore in the Indian Premier League this edition. There was a bidding war between Hyderabad and Kolkata to buy him and he was eventually bought by Hyderabad.

In an interview with the ESPNcricinfo website, pooran excited to work with batting great Brian Lara in IPL

โ€œYeah, we have had a couple of conversations in the recent past. He’s simply superb, amazing when it comes to batting and how he views the game. So yeah, looking forward to that opportunity to work with him,โ€ Pooran saidย 

He also said the pressure is on when performance does not standardize the price tag and When you do not play well, the media targets and lot of fans criticizes.

“As a professional player, sometimes I guess it does, especially when you’re not doing well, the media targets you, a lot of fans criticize you, so it the fee definitely does play a part.

But as a professional it’s Your job is to put that noise behind you and just try to perform for the team. “

The previous edition in IPL was not such a good year and eventually lost even a place in the team. However, Pooran said he did not need proof this time. He added that he plays well in international matches and the aim is to give it to Sunrises Hyderabad as well.

Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara will be the batting coach of Sunrises Hyderabad this year. he said hopes to work with Lara.

“Yeah, we have had a couple of conversations in the recent past. He’s simply superb, amazing when it comes to batting and how he views the game. So yeah, looking forward to that opportunity to work with him.”

Pooran has been playing well at number three in the last few games. He scored three half-centuries in row in the final Indian Twenty20 tournament.

However, Nicholas Pooran said that his place was irrelevant and that he could bat anywhere and contribute to the team.

“If I’m picked for a situation, a sitting role, I’ll give my 100%. So for me, I don’t have a favorite number, I know I can bat anywhere and contribute to the team.”

The 2022 edition of the IPL Start on March 26th while Pooran and Batting coach Laraโ€™s Sunrisers have their first game on March 29th against the Rajasthan Royals.