IPL: Andre Russell says it's important not to get big-headed

Dubai: Andre Russell, the West Indian all-rounder may be turning out to be Kolkata Knight Riders’ troubleshooter in the ongoing edition of Indian Premier League, but feels it’s very important not to get swayed by the success.

“You should cherish the performance, but it’s important not to get swollen-headed,” the Jamaican said in an interview with Gulf News from India. “We have to take one game at a time. Right now, we go to Mumbai after this and get the job done,” he said in reference to their penultimate group league tie on Thursday.

The 27-year-old, who has cemented a place for himself in the limited overs variety for the West Indies, is a performer whom any IPL franchise would love to have on their side. While all three of his half-centuries have come under pressure - and for a winning cause - Russell has also chipped in with his seamers usefully to claim 11 wickets from as many matches. It’s no surprise then that despite not being in the top 10 list among the batsmen or bowlers, he is leading the ranking of Most Valuable Player with 267 points ahead of illustrious names like Dwayne Bravo or AB de Villiers.

Asked what attributes are required for a good finisher in the pressure-cooker situations of IPL, the soft-spoken Russell said: “The main thing is to stay positive and keep you eyes on the ball. You have to be ready to improvise if the line and length varies and then back your abilities.”

The recent ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand saw Russell grow in stature in limited overs format for the Caribbeans, especially in the light of the absence of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard - both of whom were controversially kept out of the squad by the management. However, it was also an occasion when he suffered as a bowler at the hands of AB De Villiers when the South African plundered a century against them off 31 deliveries.

Asked if he had watched De Villiers’ salvo of 133 against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, Russell said in deadpan style: “I have seen AB do even better. I still remember his knock against us at the World Cup when I got clobbered so much that I was wondering when my spell would finish and I could go home. At the end of it, I was laughing to myself thinking that I would never possibly watch anything like this with my two eyes.”

For Russell, this is the second season with the Knights though he had spent two seasons with Delhi Daredevils before being picked up in 2014 auction. Asked to sum up his experience in the IPL, the West Indian hinted that his stint with the previous team was not exactly a happy one. “It was not easy to play just six to seven matches in two seasons - as a cricketer, you can feel miserable. Hence, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands this year,” he added.