IPL 2024: Andre Russell in tears after KKR title triumph, opens up about mental health struggles

All-rounder Andre Russell was in tears afterKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated SunRisers Hyderabad to win their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Sunday (May 26). Russell, playing the first IPL final of his career, was one of the chief architects of the win, picking three wickets in the first innings and dismantling the SRH batting lineup.

Quizzed shortly after the win, Russell reflected on how KKR had looked after him when he was out injured and could not perform to the best of his abilities.

"I don't have the words to explain right now [holds back tears]. It means so much. With all the fans supporting us right throughout. We, as players, trying to go game after game to get the job done," said Russell.

"I am happy that all of us were very disciplined and wanted the same goal. This franchise has done so much for me, and this is a big gift from all of us to them," he added.

During the mid-innings break, Russell revealed that he was not in a great mental space the last few years which had affected his performance on the field. After presenter Ravi Shastri quizzed the West Indians about the reason behind his resurgence, Russell gave an endearing answer.

"My fitness is a big part of that but mentally I am in a better space. I was mentally down for the last few years, going through a lot. At the end of the day, we stand firm, back ourselves and back the talent we have. My body is feeling very good, I want to stay this way for another couple of years," said Russell.

Fans were also astonished seeing an overseas players getting emotional after winning a franchise tournament.

"In an era where there’s an incessant debate over country versus club in cricket, it’s quite something to see Andre Russell get so emotional while talking about what winning an IPL title with @KKRiders means to him. One of the moments of the final," said one user.

In an era where there’s an incessant debate over country versus club in cricket, it’s quite something to see Andre Russell get so emotional while talking about what winning an IPL title with @KKRiders means to him. One of the moments of the final #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/chMYwbH2uA — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) May 26, 2024

Another posted: "Overseas player crying after his IPL team has won. Most competitive. Most coveted. Best T20 league in the world."

In an era where there’s an incessant debate over country versus club in cricket, it’s quite something to see Andre Russell get so emotional while talking about what winning an IPL title with @KKRiders means to him. One of the moments of the final #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/chMYwbH2uA — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) May 26, 2024

Russell finished the season with 19 wickets in 15 matches, joint second with Harshit Rana and just behind Varun Chakravarthy who picked 21 wickets. Despite not having got enough opportunities with the bat, Dre Russ accumulated 222 runs in nine innings at an astonishing strike rate of 185.