Andre Russell was over the moon after his unbeaten 70 off 31 balls fetched KKR a six-wicket victory against Punjab Kings in Mumbai on Friday.

“Feeling awesome, man. This is the reason why we play the game... I know what I can do. It was good to have someone at the crease like Sam (Billings). Once I started sweating, I told him that I’m gonna go,” Russell, who hit eight sixes, said.

“I back my ability. I’m happy to do whatever the team requires. I’m looking to bowl in the death... But some games, I may not bowl a ball, so I’m happy to take the batting as well and hit some sixes... do whatever I can do to contribute for the team,” he said.

Coming in at 51/4, Russell took the match away from Punjab Kings almost singlehandedly. “We were a couple wickets down.... I told Sam ‘listen, let’s bat a few overs and see what happens’. But I realised the left-arm orthodox (Harpreet Brar) wasn’t spinning the ball.

“(Rahul) Chahar was bowling extremely well and the ball was gripping, so we didn’t want to take much chance against him. But I knew we’d wait on the seamers and it would get easier.”

Despite Russell’s exploits with the bat, Umesh Yadav (4/23) won the Man of the Match award, his sixth against the Punjab franchise.

“I need to work hard. I’m getting older, I look to bowl as much as possible... Whatever is happening now, has been because of what I have practised with my coaches. If you bowl at 140kmph, you need to be accurate,” Umesh said.