Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell applauded his franchise teammate Rinku Singh for his stunning shows as Team India’s T20I finisher since his debut. He has played a key role in the lower-middle order in the handful of matches he has played so far. Rinku has scored 128 runs in four innings while being dismissed only once. His e scored 216.95, with a case for his inclusion in the Indian squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup as well.
Andre Russell said in an exclusive interaction with Hindustan Times: “I’m not surprised by what Rinku is doing. He joined KKR a few years ago. And every time he batted in practice games or in the nets, we saw the potential. He would hit those big shots. But getting that opportunity and doing it on the big stage, doing it IPL, finishing games after games, it gives him the confidence that every player desires.”
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“I’ve been watching the games (India vs Australia T20Is) and if I miss something, I tune into the highlights and it’s mostly for Rinku,” Andre Russell further added. “He has been a tremendous team man. It’s heartening to someone so young, who has so much passion for the game, doing so well in wearing the blue. And I think he will improve further and become an even better player as the years go by.”
However, he has also spoken about getting retained by the franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction. Russell joined KKR in 2014 and he has evolved as one of the most explosive players in the shortest format as well but injuries and lack of form have cost his progress also. While Russell was retained for a sum of ₹12 crore following the 2021 IPL season despite poor numbers in the 2020 and the 2021 editions, He had a solid campaign in 2022 but couldn’t do well in the most recent season as well.
“There has been a lot of talk about me getting released and all that. But the most important thing is that the franchise believes in me. They know what I can do and what I have done in the past. I really want to make sure to have a mega season next year,” Andre Russell again said.
