Andre Russell smashed a 17-ball 48 and picked the crucial wickets of Chris Gayle and Sarfaraz Khan to script a 28-run victory for Kolkata Knight Riders against Kings XI Punjab at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
In Match 6 of the IPL 2019, KKR finished at 218-4 in 20 overs after KXIP won the toss and chose to bowl first. Along with Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine opened the innings for KKR. Narine was looking in good touch as he slammed 24 runs off 9 deliveries before Hardus Viljoen took his wicket. Lynn went before Narine as he was dismissed by Mohammed Shami for 10.
Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana set the stage for KKR by adding a 100-run partnership off 60 balls. Rana was on fire before he was dismissed by debutant Varun Chakravarthy for 34-ball 63. Robin completed his half-century and remained unbeaten on 67. Russell came in demolished Punjab’s bowling attack before getting out on 48 in the last over of Andrew Tye.
In reply, KL Rahul continued his poor streak of performances in the IPL 2019 as he went for just 1 run in the first over of Lockie Ferguson. Chris Gayle was looking good but he couldn’t stay for long at the crease; he made 20 off 13 balls before Russell dismissed him.
Sarfaraz Khan also couldn’t continue his form from the last match and was dismissed by Russell for 13 in the 8th over. Mayank Agarwal went after making a fantastic half-century. Piyush Chawla clean bowled Agarwal at 58.
David Miller was looking good but his 40-ball 59 was not enough to take Punjab to the finishing line.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Stiff fight out up by Punjab. Moment of carelessness in the field, which gave dangerous Russell a reprieve, cost them the match. No taking away any credit from KKR though. Quite superb
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 27, 2019
#KKR makes it two in two. Nitish’s form at the top of the order has made this team very formidable. And of course, Russell has been sensational. #KKRvKXIP #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 27, 2019
So good to see @robbieuthappa play such a class innings . Well played Mate !
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/1110951567824293888
Congratulations @KKRiders Well done @iamsrk Shah Rukh Keep winning
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 27, 2019
KKR have exposed KXIP's lack of balance today. KKR's brilliant attacking batting opened up KXIP's bowling, forcing them to bowl Mandeep & in the run chase Miller's reluctance to accelerate betrayed an understandable lack of faith KXIP's shallow batting order. #IPL #KKRvKXIP
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 27, 2019
Andre Russell clearly the difference between the two sides. His was the knock that actually took the game out of Kings XI's hands. Also few wickets added icing to the cake. #IPL #KKRvKXIP #KKR
— Anmol Mohta (@anmolmohta24) March 27, 2019
ISSE KEHTE HAI #KorboLorboJeetbo! WHAT A VICTORY! 💜#KKRvKXIP #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 27, 2019
Ashwin this is what you call karma 🙊 #IPL12 #KKRvsKXIP
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) March 27, 2019
Well played! Russell!#KKRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/YN62y4sH8O
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) March 27, 2019
A high scoring encounter was lit up by these amazing performances! 🌟#KKRvKXIP #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/gG3Ntkupj9
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 27, 2019
Scintillating knock by Nitish Rana 💪
LIVE Score: https://t.co/nsynoIQy4J#IPL2019 #VIVOIPL #KKRvKXIP #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/Iqdo7YUYM9— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 27, 2019
