KOLKATA, India, CMC – Delhi Daredevils’ West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell said Monday he hoped to play a bigger role in latest edition of the Indian Premier League starting tomorrow, after hardly featuring his first stint in the multi-million dollar Twenty20 tournament last year.
His Daredevils will raise the curtain on the 2013 tournament with a clash with reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders, which includes mystery West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine.
“Last year I did not get much opportunities. The target is to play as many matches as possible for my team. I am confident of playing a good role for the side,” said the 24-year-old Russell, who has played 15 Twenty20 Internationals for West Indies.
“T20 is such a format that requires you to play some big hits lower down the order. I’m happy to play that role for my team.”
Russell is part of a Delhi side led by Sri Lanka batting star Mahela Jayawardene and which also includes big-hitting opener Virender Sehwag and South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel.
However, the squad has been hit by the loss of the injured England stroke-maker Kevin Pietersen and New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder, who was brutally attacked outside a bar in Christchurch recently and is currently hospitalised.
In the absence of these two run-getters, Russell says he is keen on filling the breach left.
“Hopefully I will fit into that slot and contribute in all the three different areas – batting, bowling and fielding,” he noted.
Russell, who has also played one Test and 34 One-Day Internationals, said the Daredevils were wary of KKR’s Narine who was voted Player-of-the-Tournament last year for his 24 wickets.
“He is really difficult to play. In all conditions he always bowls well. You can’t really play big shots to him,” Russell explained.
“You don’t know which way the ball is going to turn from his action.”
