"T20 cricket, I love it, smashing it," said Andre Russell after the KKR all-rounder produced a blitzkrieg of the highest order to help his side pull off a stunning win over the Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the Champions League T20 2014.
With the Kolkata Knight Riders in deep trouble, Russell came into the crease and started to leather the ball all over the park, while putting on a match-winning partnership with Ryan Ten Doeschate to chase down CSK's total of 157.
"My strategy was to be positive, just backing myself," added Russell at the presentation ceremony after his 25-ball 58 won him the man of the match award. "I'm a little used to getting my team over the line.
"Well done to Ten Doeschate as well, he helped from the other end, and kept telling me to keep rotating the strike.
"It was a very good wicket. It did not matter which bowler, there was no spin, so I backed myself to get the ball over the line. it was all about confidence, and a very good wicket to bat on."
KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir was looking on glumly as his team lost five quick wickets, before that smile became a little more evident as Russell and Ten Doeschate took the IPL champions over the line in this humdinger of a CLT20 2014 match against CSK in Hyderabad.
"We thought we could have restricted to an even smaller total after the way Sunil [Narine] bowled," said Gambhir. This is the manner of T20 cricket, the match can change in a couple of overs.
"We were pretty comfortable chasing the total. We have plenty of batting in Yusuf Pathan, Andre Russell and Ten Doeschate. We are always comfortable chasing, and this is what is unique about our team.
"The way Russell and Ryan batted, they showed their maturity. Unbelievable innings, and I think they deserve the plaudits. Also a special mention to Sunil Narine – the spinner conceded just nine runs in his four overs -- who was pretty special."
MS Dhoni will still be wondering just how his team lost the match from such a commanding position, but, in the end, the CSK skipper admitted his team failed to put enough runs on the board.
"I just never thought we had enough runs on the board," he said. "This was a good wicket to bat on, and even though we did well to get to 160, I thought it was below par.
"Andre Russell batted really well along with Ten Doeschate, and they took the game away from us."
