Right ahead of the clash against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Saturday (April 29), Andre Russell gave a big statement on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and West Indies Cricket Board. Russell, who hasn't fared well so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, was all praise for his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders and slammed West Indies Cricket Board. Russell said that no other franchise or even his country has invested in his treatments like KKR has done over the years.
The star all-rounder has been a significant part of the Kolkata-based franchise since 2014 and played a vital role in team's IPL title glory.
Russell haven't shone in the sixteenth season of the IPL but turned the match around for KKR by taking a prized wicket of Virat Kohli in their last match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Russell returned with an impressive spell of 2/29 and KKR won the match by 21 runs.
Russell, who isn't in great terms with his own country's cricket board, last played for West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and since then has only been participating in T20 league cricket including IPL. West Indies has been grappling with the knee injury for the past few years.
The 35-year-old has revealed that how KKR helped him with his treatment during a conversation with Star Sports. As quoted by Hindustan Times, the KKR star said that he felt special for everything that Kolkata-based franchise did for him to get treatment done on his knees.
"Where I was, a few years ago, KKR actually make things happen for me where they send me to get proper treatments on my knees. That's something special to me to be honest. No other franchise or even my country never really invest that much on me," Russell said.
Russell also said that he can't imagine himself representing other team in the glitzy league as he is more than happy and feel at home to be part of KKR.
"I'm happy here. I don't see any other franchise I would love to be a part of in this tournament because I've been here for about 9 years now. Been here for so many years, I meet these guys, get closer to them every year. When cricket isn't there, I'm still in communication with Mr Venky (Mysore). I look up to him, I really respect him," Russell concluded.
KKR are placed seventh on the table as they have won just three matches and lost five of them. They will look to clinch win against Hardik's brigade at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (April 29) to revive their chances of making it to the playoffs.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IPL 2023, KKR vs GT: Kolkata sans match-winners, make two changes in playing XI, invited to bat first against Hardik's brigade
LSG troll English power-hitter Liam Livingstone after thrashing PBKS with viral 'Lagaan' meme
