IPL 2024 | "...it's special": Andre Russell on KKR winning the title

Andre Russell (Pic: File Pic)

With the Kolkata Knight Riders lifting the IPL 2024 trophy, star all-rounder Andre Russell said he feels excited over his contributions to the team's journey in the IPL and it's a special feeling.

Kolkata defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 finals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and registered the title to their name for the third time.

Mitchell Starc, Andre Russell's exceptional spells and Venkatesh Iyer's gritty fifty helped KKR successfully chase the target in the IPL 2024 finals against SRH.

Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head who showcased their explosive batting approach in most of the SRH's IPL 2024, got a taste of their own medicine in the finals. In a battle of two big buys, the Australian stars Cummins (Rs 20.5 crore for SRH) and Starc (Rs 24.75 crore for KKR), it was the latter who prevailed.

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"When you're a part of this squad, not playing or not involved in the field, but supporting the guys all the way, it's always a good feeling, but this is a special feeling. In the XI, playing a part in the final, contributing as well through my leadership and everything, it's an exciting feeling. It's special," Russell said on Jio Cinema.

The 36-year-old cricketer further spoke about his batting technique.

"It's just me not clearing my front leg too much, standing as still as possible, and waiting as long as possible. Normally, this is my trigger movement, clearing my left leg, so I tried to keep it as still as possible. So, if the bowler bowls wide, I push straight and I have access because I am standing on the off-stump," the West Indies all-rounder added.

Earlier, SRH won the toss and elected to bat in the IPL 2024 finals. KKR rocked SRH with continuous wickets, with the big buy Mitchell Starc justifying his Rs 24.75 crore price tag. Only skipper Pat Cummins (24 in 19 balls, with two fours and a six) and Aiden Markram (20 in 23 balls, with three fours) touched the 20-run mark and SRH was bundled out for 113 in 18.3 overs.

Andre Russell (3/19) was the top bowler for KKR. Starc (2/14) and Harshit Rana (2/24) also contributed well with the ball. Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Vaibhav Arora took a wicket each.

KKR pulled off the run-chase of 114 runs in just 10.3 overs with eight wickets in hand, with Venkatesh Iyer (52' in 26 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39 in 32 balls, with five fours and two sixes) shining for KKR.

(With ANI Inputs)