IPL 2023 | We really needed that victory: Andre Russell relieved after KKR end their losing streak

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell was relieved after his team defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore, bagging a much-needed win, after four losses in a row in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on April 26.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell was relieved after his team defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore, bagging a much-needed win, after four losses in a row in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on April 26.

Kolkata Knight Riders got a much-needed win, after four losses in a row, as they beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing IPL 2023 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

A blistering 56(29) from Jason Roy and an attacking 48 off 21 from captain Nitish Rana powered KKR to 200/5. Varun Chakaravarthy (3/27) and Suyash Sharma (2/30) then spun a web around the RCB batters as KKR restricted RCB to 179/8 and won by 21 runs.

"We really needed that victory. Have been under the pump the last couple of games. Batting first tonight, we know once we get a good total on the board — runs on the board are pressure. Our goal was to keep their power play under 55. We were able to pull it back in the middle," Russell said in a post-match presentation.

Talking about his physical fitness, Russell said that he needs to be smarter with his body these days and is now doing his best with the ball.

"Batting first or batting second comes down to the amount of runs you're setting up, and the dew factor. Once I get the ball I try to do my best. Have been struggling in patches with the bat. Still confident, still know what to do. Got a really good Yorker, credit to Siraj. Recovery is important to me. The older I get, the more experienced, the more I look after my body," he added.

Coming to the match, chasing a target of 201, RCB got off to a breezy start as openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis went on the attack straight away. Kohli slashed one to third man for a four off the first ball of the innings, from Vaibhav Arora and then du Plessis flicked one wide of a short fine leg. The duo then went after Umesh Yadav, hammering 19 off the over as Kohli smacked one over extra cover for a four and then du Plessis ended the over with two sixes.