IPL 2023: Sunil Gavaskar Opines on Andre Russell’s Stunning Knock

Former India cricketer turned cricket analyst Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on KKR all-rounder Andre Russell for playing a crucial yet scintillating knock against PBKS at the Eden Gardens on Monday, May 8. Russell, who had been criticised for his batting in the IPL 2023, silenced his critics with a swashbuckling knock of 42 off 23 balls.

His knock was studded with three sixes and as many fours as well. In the 180-run chase, KKR captain Nitish Rana also smashed a fifty. With six needed off the final over, Andre Russell failed to reach the non-strikers’ end as Arshdeep Singh ran him out. When KKR required two on the final ball, Rinku Singh hit a four to help KKR win as well. With the win, KKR also moved from number eight to five on the IPL 2023 points table.

“He has been there and played a match-winning hand, you know, how Kolkata has seen. That’s where he has come to the party. It was important for him to score because otherwise people would have what is he doing and all that kind of thing. He’s got plenty of cricket, matches to win for his team and that’s fantastic for the IPL because look what has happened,” Sunil Gavaskar said about Andre Russell on Star Sports.

IPL 2023: KKR registered a thrilling final ball win

With KKR’s win, now five teams are tied with the same points – 10 points each as well. Out of them, RCB and MI have played one match less (10 each). Sunil Gavaskar also added that KKR’s jump in the standings has led to jam which is similar to Mumbai’s traffic as well.

“Suddenly from being no.8, KKR have climbed to no.5 and then there’s a traffic jam that everyone keeps on talking. This is the kind of win which you see in Mumbai’s traffic,” Gavaskar added.

Kolkata Knight Riders will next play against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on May 11 and they will hope to carry the winning momentum as well.