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In the eighth match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a paltry target of 138, the Knight Riders were struggling at 51/4 in seven overs. Before Punjab could dominate further, Andre Russell absolutely turned the tables with a blistering knock.
Russell demolished the PBKS bowling attack and took KKR to a memorable victory. The Caribbean superstar took PBKS bowlers to the cleaners smashing them into the stands. He slammed as many as eight gigantic sixes during his unbeaten 31-ball 70 run knock to take KKR over the finish line.
Earlier, Umesh Yadav‘s splendid bowling inspired KKR to pack Punjab for just 137 in 18.2 overs. Yadav returned with his career-best figures in the cash-rich league and completely destroyed the PBKS batting lineup.
Yadav dismissed the likes of Mayank Agarwal (1), Liam Livingstone (19), Harpreet Brar (14), and Rahul Chahar (0) to complete his four-wicket haul while conceding 23 runs in his quota of 4 overs, including a maiden.
“We showed some real fight with the ball initially and then Dre Russ came in and got going. Credit to him for taking the game away from us like that. I think it was a 170ish wicket. We started off well but could not capitalize, there were a few soft dismissals. But it is fine as it is the start of the tournament. They (bowlers) pulled it back nicely for us with 4 for 50, we were in the game, but Russell took the game away. There were a lot of positives to take away,” said PBKS captain Mayank after the match.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Visual representation of everyone seeing Andre's knock💜#KKRHaiTaiyaar #KKRvPBKS #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/BNLQre9nrr
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 1, 2022
Russel Muscle. Brutal. Crazy power hitting.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 1, 2022
Kkr is so much stronger with Andre Russell in the best mode! #KKRvsPBKS
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 1, 2022
Similarity between Wrestle Mania and Russell Mania pic.twitter.com/zbTLijiDU4
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 1, 2022
💥💜 RUSSELL'S BRUTALITY! It's ⛈️ sixes at the Wankhede courtesy of the 💪🏼 Russell!
📸 IPL • #AndreRussell #KKRvPBKS #PBKSvKKR #IPL #IPL2022 #TATAIPL #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/lTruFwtWRH
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) April 1, 2022
.@y_umesh played just 2 games in last 2 seasons in the IPL. And even with the Indian team he only gets a game when someone's injured or rested. But such is his attitude that you never see him complain. Warms my heart to see him do well. One of the good guys. #KKRvPBKS #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/MFDwiNgJWr
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 1, 2022
Umesh Yadav was not picked in initial auction rounds
And today he is one of the leading wicket takers of IPL.
Moral : Trust yourself, even when no one else does. #KKRvsPBKS
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) April 1, 2022
Considering the conditions in Mumbai, KKR picking up #UmeshYadav is turning out to be a great buy.
A hint of grass. Red plus yellow soil and more clay content.#IPL
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) April 1, 2022
When you want the party to get over asap- you turn on the Dre Russ mode on🔥 #KKRvsPBKS #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/aMn86pcBp5
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) April 1, 2022
Umesh Yadav should’ve been bought in the very first round of the auction. Period. #PBKSvKKR #IPL2022
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) April 1, 2022
Just imagine that @y_umesh went unsold in the first round of mega auction. And now he is #PurpleCap holder
of #IPL2022 . #PBKS #KKRvsPBKS #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/c4fYf4WPen— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 1, 2022
Damn.. Russell has batted like just three overs man. What unreal hitting. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 1, 2022
.@y_umesh played just 2 games in last 2 seasons in the IPL. And even with the Indian team he only gets a game when someone's injured or rested. But such is his attitude that you never see him complain. Warms my heart to see him do well. One of the good guys. #KKRvPBKS #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/MFDwiNgJWr
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 1, 2022