IPL 2025: It was a total team effort, says Andre Russell after KKR`s win over DC

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell was happy that his side defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2025 on his birthday.

A fightback from spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy helped the side register a 14-run win against DC. Russell acknowledged the team effort, highlighting the importance of getting runs on the board and capitalising on the opponent`s mistakes.

Birthday Rituals! 💜🎂 pic.twitter.com/0opJJLf7Uu

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 29, 2025

Celebrating the win on his birthday, Russell credited his clear mindset. The 37-year-old also revealed that he had asked his teammates to win the game. “I asked the guys in the meeting today that I wanted a win. This is the most amazing T20 league. Happy they scheduled this match on my birthday, thanks for that. It was a total team effort from the guys”.

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“Getting runs on the board that was crucial. They made mistakes (in the middle overs) and we got those wickets. Just a happy day. Just had one plan, had to be clear as I was going to bowl six yorkers, that was the mindset. Told the skipper the same,” Andre Russell said in the post-match presentation. Russell made an important 17 runs in 9 balls, which powered KKR post 204 in the first innings.

Bowling the last crucial over, Russell dismissed Delhi`s Vipraj Nigam. Completing two overs, he bagged one wicket by conceding 22 runs. Speaking about the team`s inconsistent batting unit, he feels that the side has the ability to score good totals. 

“Once you don`t confuse yourself as a bowler, you do good. We have to keep it simple as bowlers, especially at the death. We haven`t clicked as a batting unit this season, but we still get good totals. Maybe three batters have a good night out of the six or seven batters. I still back the guys, the confidence is still there. We just try to execute our skills and plans, don`t need to think too much. Bringing himself (Narine) back was crucial at that (14th over) time, he got big wickets in that over, that`s where we started believing in ourselves. Varun had one over at the back-end where he picked two wickets. It shows we have a good unit,” said Russell.

(With ANI Inputs)