IPL 2024: 'I'm more clear in my approach', KKR's Andre Russell on fiery start to season

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) power-hitter Andre Russell believes his mind is a lot clearer heading into the rest of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. KKR face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their second game on Friday, just a few days after beginning their campaign with a four-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

In that game, Russell scored a quickfire 65, off just 24 deliveries, to help KKR post 208 on the board. Last season, Russell had managed just 227 runs from 14 matches without a single fifty to his name.

“My mindset wasn’t right (in 2023). I was thinking about failure more than thinking about going out and doing what I do best.”

“When you have a mindset that I don’t want to get out, I think that’s a negative mindset for me,” Russell said on the eve of the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru here.

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“I think I’ve been allowing myself to be under pressure, because I’ve been thinking too much. It’s all about the mindset, as I said, and now more clear in my approach to every delivery,” added Russell.

But the Jamaican all-rounder said he has been working on his batting technique as well over the last year to make a bigger impact.

“I’ve made a few changes. I was at the nets in Abu Dhabi and Sunil (Narine) was watching my technique. We realised I was doing too much, as I was stepping out and I needed to work on my stride towards the delivery.

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“When I look at most batters who are big hitters, they don’t really have a big stretch against the deliveries that are going away. So, that’s just one little tweak that I’ve done,” said Russell.

Detailing the changes further, the 35-year-old said: “Now, I’m just trying to move as late as possible, and you know, I wouldn’t speed so much and I try to depend on that, and just use eye-hand coordination,” he added.

With PTI inputs