KKR vs PBKS: Andre Russell reveals midfield conversation with Rinku after race, told him ‘bring us the bacon home’

The 35-year-old almost carried Kolkata past the goal line, but was left without the penultimate ball. Before leaving the field, he approached Rinku Singh and spoke a few words.

“I gave him a hug and said listen, bring us the bacon home,” Russell revealed.

“He said ok big man don’t worry.”

Rinku Singh then hit Arshdeep Singh’s last delivery to the square leg limit for the win.

See more photos of the KKR vs PBKS game:

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Knight Riders of Calcutta Batsman Rinku Singh celebrates with teammate Varun Chakravarthy after winning the LPI 2023 cricket match against Kings of Punjab, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, on Monday 8th May 2023. KKR won the match by 5 wickets. (Photo by PTI/Swapan Mahapatra)

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Rinku Singh in action during the team’s match against Punjab Kings, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday May 8, 2023. KKR won the match by 5 wickets. (Photo by PTI/Swapan Mahapatra)

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Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Andre Russell plays a shot during the 2023 IPL cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, May 8, 2023. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)

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Rinku Singh and Shardul Thakur celebrate after winning the 2023 IPL cricket match against Punjab Kings, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday May 8, 2023. KKR won the match by 5 wickets. (Photo by PTI/Swapan Mahapatra)

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Rinku Singh of Kolkata Knight Riders plays a shot during an Indian Premier League cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, in Kolkata, India, Monday, May 8, 2023. (AP Photo Bikas Das)

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Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Rinku Singh celebrates after winning the IPL 2023 cricket match against Punjab Kings, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, May 8, 2023. (Sportzpics for IPL/PTI Photo)

“In any other game, with any other batter, I’m not sure I’ve ever taken a run. I’ve never really done those things. I prefer to lean back to hit the last delivery and get the job done,” Russell admitted.

“But when you have a guy like Rinku who has been so successful in the kill, it gives confidence. He is a fearless player; wherever you play, he has a chance,” he said.

When asked what works best for Rinku, Russell said: “What works well is that he’s very calm. Rinku quickly gets into positions where he can take on any delivery and stand a chance. That is the key to his success. His technique is very simple. The way he picks up his bat and plays his shots has worked well for him. Every time I get a chance to talk to him, I tell him to be humble. Very happy for him, and I love him like a brother. He just remains consistent, is what I tell him.”

Despite the opposition apparently being well prepared for him, his bowlers had no answers that day. “He’s always a great player and he’s a game changer, and our plan was to keep him quiet,” former South African sprinter and current PBKS bowling coach Charl Langeveldt said at the post-match press conference.

Rinku Singh 🤝 final ball ends = God is with you 🫶#IPLonJioCinema #KKRvPBKS #TATAIPL #IPL2023 | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/juKT7t1T40

—JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 8, 2023

But coming to bat in the over 14 of KKR’s innings with the score at 115/3, Russell took little time to settle in and crushed three sixes in the over from Sam Curran to reduce the target to six runs in the final over. .

After taking those shots, you could see how he swiped the bat and what it meant to contribute to the success of his team. So how is your mentality in between?

“I was thinking of going three bounds from Curran, and that’s why I ripped him apart,” Russell said in the post-match press conference.

“I wanted to make sure I got to the last over with the fewest runs needed. He knew that Arshdeep is pretty good with death, and you never know what can happen. We hit three sixes and that was the icing on the cake and getting half a dozen was ideal for us in the last over,” he added.

The bowlers have not really allowed Russell to fire on all cylinders this season and one of the tactics that has been employed against him is to shoot away from him. To counter this, Russell has his way of doing things.

Just Rinku doing Rinku stuff and his happy captain interviewing the best finisher on the side 💜🤗

Introducing Rana and Rinku from The Eden Gardens as they recap @KKRiders‘ mesmerizing chase 🔥🔥 – By @28anand

Full interview 🎥🔽 #TATAIPL | #KKRvPBKS https://t.co/hsTzGeCY4b pic.twitter.com/c304XQnylR

— Indian Premier League (@IPL) May 9, 2023

“The bowlers have their plans and we are not perfect. So I know that even if they have their plans, if they come near me, it’s in my zone. Suppose it’s a little too wide, then it’s a wide delivery. So I stand on the stump and counter the challenge. But you can’t stand there and expect every ball to be wide because bowlers sometimes bluff and can bowl straight,” he explained.

Revealing that he remembered how Curran took him out last year, rounding out his legs, Russell said: “Although the pitcher can set up a particular field, as a hitter, you can’t predict that all the balls will go. You have to wait for the other variations as well.”

After hitting two mammoth sixes on the side, Russell also sliced ​​one over the point region for a max and it was something he was ready for. “Curran would throw himself at my body and try to force me towards the bigger side of the field. I hit two sixes to the big side. So I know he won’t bowl in that area again because I think like a bowler even when batting. When he bowled the slower cutter into the wicket, I gave myself that little space and used my hands, which was the small side,” he clarified before adding: “When you really conquer a team plan or a bowling plan, then Plan B is in the hitting zone most of the time.”