The flamboyant Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder, Andre Russell managed to register his best-ever bowling figures in T20 cricket against the formidable Mumbai Indians during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Russell’s 5/15 against the defending champion is also the best bowling figure ever registered by a KKR bowler; the previous best being 5/19 by Sunil Narine which came against the Punjab Kings in Kolkata in 2012.

This is also the best bowling figures ever registered by a bowler against MI, as Russell went on to eclipse Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Harshal Patel’s figures of 5/27 on day one of IPL 2021. Being brought into the attack in only the 18th over of the game, the flamboyant all-rounder, for the wicket on his second delivery, getting compatriot Kieron Pollard caught behind for 5.

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Speaking about the dismissal during the innings break, the 32-year-old said, “It’s always good to get Polly out early. We all know what he can do.”

In the final over, Russel got the wicket of Marco Jansen, who picked out Pat Cummins at deep extra cover. Russell almost ended up getting a hat-trick in his second over (20th of the innings) when Rahul Chahar whipped a fuller delivery just short of Shakib Al Hasan at deep mid-wicket. However, he eventually got the wicket off the very next ball.

The KKR big-hitter also accounted for the dismissals of Krunal Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah.

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When asked about his role at KKR as a death bowler, Russell said, “I have been working very hard in practice sessions and taking responsibility of bowling in the death. You might go for runs, but there’s always a chance of taking wickets. I always keep stretching in the field and jogging around, you got to be ready in the 18th over.”