NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders’ Andre Russell returns to form IPL 2023 sounded the alarm to rival teams as Rajasthan Royals spearhead Trent Boult said on Wednesday they needed to be clear in their plan against him.
Russell ended his lean spell against the Punjab Kings as he fired a 23-ball 42 to set up KKR’s five-wicket victory that kept his team’s playoff hopes alive.
“Russell is one of the most destructive hitters in T20 cricket. He has over 600 sixes (603) in the format. He’s a guy you need to be extremely clear on your plan,” Boult told the day before their match against KKR. .
“I managed to get him out a couple of times. But you have to be very, very precise with how you play with him. He’s a great player for KKR, Rinku Singh obviously helped him and also became a good death overs player,” said the Kiwi speedster.
RR has failed to defend over 200 totals twice in their last three games and Boult said that showed the quality of the tournament.
“It shows the level of quality in IPL at the moment. No score is sure, we saw some amazing chases, 90% of matches probably ended last. It’s just high quality. You have to Respect the players, it’s been exciting cricket.”
Boult further said he had a lot to offer and was looking forward to bowling at the iconic Eden Gardens.
“I would love to take more wickets. It’s a tough format. I had some success at the start of the tournament. I think I have a lot to offer, I take every game as it comes,” Boult, who has picked up 10 wickets in eight matches this season, said.
“The wicket also has rhythm and the rebound wobbles a bit, I personally like bowling here,” he said.
After suffering four losses in the last five games, RR faces inescapable scenarios in their remaining three games, and Boult said it was time to change the momentum.
“We’ve had some really good games, the last four defeats one of those games. I still believe it’s a momentum game, it’s time to reverse that momentum.”
(With PTI inputs)
Russell ended his lean spell against the Punjab Kings as he fired a 23-ball 42 to set up KKR’s five-wicket victory that kept his team’s playoff hopes alive.
“Russell is one of the most destructive hitters in T20 cricket. He has over 600 sixes (603) in the format. He’s a guy you need to be extremely clear on your plan,” Boult told the day before their match against KKR. .
“I managed to get him out a couple of times. But you have to be very, very precise with how you play with him. He’s a great player for KKR, Rinku Singh obviously helped him and also became a good death overs player,” said the Kiwi speedster.
RR has failed to defend over 200 totals twice in their last three games and Boult said that showed the quality of the tournament.
“It shows the level of quality in IPL at the moment. No score is sure, we saw some amazing chases, 90% of matches probably ended last. It’s just high quality. You have to Respect the players, it’s been exciting cricket.”
Boult further said he had a lot to offer and was looking forward to bowling at the iconic Eden Gardens.
“I would love to take more wickets. It’s a tough format. I had some success at the start of the tournament. I think I have a lot to offer, I take every game as it comes,” Boult, who has picked up 10 wickets in eight matches this season, said.
“The wicket also has rhythm and the rebound wobbles a bit, I personally like bowling here,” he said.
After suffering four losses in the last five games, RR faces inescapable scenarios in their remaining three games, and Boult said it was time to change the momentum.
“We’ve had some really good games, the last four defeats one of those games. I still believe it’s a momentum game, it’s time to reverse that momentum.”
(With PTI inputs)
