Andre Russell’s blitz spoilt David Warner’s return as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets in the second match of the IPL 2019 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
Russell hit four sixes and as many fours as the two-time champions made a winning start to their IPL season 12 campaign.
Chasing 182, KKR got off to a poor start, losing out on Chris Lynn in the second over. But Nitish Rana, who was surprisingly sent out to open the innings for KKR along with Lynn, scored a fifty to keep his side in the hunt. He was dismissed for 68 by Rashid Khan. After his dismissal, Russell smashed 49 runs off just 19 deliveries to script a thrilling win for KKR.
Earlier, Warner played a sensational 85-run knock on his IPL return for the Sunrisers to take his side to 181/3 in 20 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Showing his muscles 💪 @Russell12A What a knock @IPL #SRHvKKR well done @RealShubmanGill
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 24, 2019
The Night of Andre Russell #KKRvSRH
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 24, 2019
What a game! I thought with such a solid bowling line up @SunRisers would have won this came but the Russells Viper from @KKRiders was too deadly today!#KKRvSRH #IPL2019
— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) March 24, 2019
Incredible from Andre Russell. The scariest finisher in T20 cricket. And Vijay Shankar of India, who bowls, goes back to being the Vijay Shankar of the IPL who doesn't.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2019
That Andre Russell innings – as KKR scored 54 in their last 16 balls to win – distils why power hitting can make ground fielding, and smart running between the wickets, irrelevant in T20. Power hitting like that makes '1 percenters' irrelevant
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) March 24, 2019
For me this Andre Russell is the #universeboss#KKRvSRH #IPL2019
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 24, 2019
His Instagram profile reads – Am a big deal – NO, @Russell12A – You’re the biggest bloody deal .. The @IPL is here … #KKRvSRH
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 24, 2019
Andre Russell gives the world cricketing lessons on how one should chase down a tough total. And Shubman Gill showing his class and nerves in the very last over. What an incredible game! #IPL #IPL2019 #KKRvSRH
— Aadil Bandukwala (@aadil) March 24, 2019
WHAT A KNOCK by DRE RUSS! 🔥🔥🔥#KKRvSRH #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/t5pQWzCbnF
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2019
Extraordinary turnaround at the Eden through Andre Russell’s blazing bat. Gill finishing match with two soaring sixes was icing on the cake for KKR.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 24, 2019
Andre Russell's innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad:
1 1 1 . 4 1 1 6 6 1 1 4 1 4 6 4 . 6 1 1wd 1
A fine match winning performance.
🙌#KKRvsSRH #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/djlNE3bvUl
— bet365 (@bet365) March 24, 2019
Take A Bow..Andre Russell!#KKRvSRH #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/BXw7YpKunU
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) March 24, 2019
Dre Russ !!! 👀👀 & @RealShubmanGill 👀👀 … #IPL2019 The young lad is going to be some player …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2019
Warner is BACK … #IPL2019
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2019
Absolutely not surprised by Warner’s immediate return to form. He is simply put… just a class act…Really thrilled for him.👏👏👏🙏#welcomeBackWarner#IPL2019
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 24, 2019
