Andre Russell’s power-packed knock helped Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hammer Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Russell’s unbeaten 71-run knock changed the complexion of the game in a low-scoring run chase. The Caribbean all-rounder’s sensational hitting guided KKR to chase down a 138-run target with 33 balls to spare. The massive win also helped KKR reach to the top of points table.
Chahar dents KKR’s run chase
Chasing 138, Ajinkya Rahane became Kagiso Rabada's first victim of the season. Rahane edged one to Odean Smith and departed after scoring 12 runs. Skipper Shreyas Iyer walked out with an aggressive approach. Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer struggled and got out after scoring just three runs. Rahul Chahar turned the tide as he got the wicket of Shreyas and Nitish Rana in the seventh over. Sam Billings and Russell were cautious at the start and played out Chahar's quota of runs. The leg-spinner conceded 13 runs from his quota of four overs.
All Russell show
Russell targetted other bowlers while Chahar completed his spell. He took on Harpreet Brar in the 10th over and hit him for two sixes. In the 12th over, he turned the game in KKR's favour with three sixes and one boundary. Smith made the mistake of bowling a no ball and Billings joined the party as well with a huge six over his head. The West Indies all-rounder leaked 30 runs in his second over. The KKR all-rounder got to his half-century from 26 deliveries and then hit three more sixes to win the match with 5.3 overs to spare. He remained unbeaten for 70 off 31 deliveries. His innings included eight sixes and two fours. Billings played second fiddle to Russell and played a patient knock of 24.
Rajapaksa cameo
Earlier Shreyas won the toss and elected to field first. In-form Umesh Yadav provided an early wicket by sending skipper Agarwal back to the pavilion early. Bhanuka Rajapaksa made full use of the fielding restrictions as he scored 31 runs off just nine deliveries including a hat-trick of sixes. However, Shivam Mavi made up for going for plenty and got rid of dangerous Rajapaksa. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter scored 31 runs off just nine deliveries including three fours and as many sixes. On the penultimate delivery of powerplay overs, Tim Southee got the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan to put them under pressure.
Another Umesh special
Initially, Liam Livingstone looked in good touch but failed to capitalise on good start. Umesh returned to the attack and got rid of Livingstone. The English batter scored 19 runs off just 16 deliveries. Coming to bat in pressure situation, Raj Bawa showed some promise but looked clueless against KKR's dependable bowler Sunil Narine. PBKS finisher Shahrukh Khan disappointed as well with a five-ball duck. In his final spell, Umesh provided another couple of wickets to leave Kings in no position to score big in death overs.
Rabada provides entertainment
Caribbean all-rounder Odean Smith could not repeat the heroics of previous game and struggled to connect. When all seemed lost, Kagiso Rabada got PBKS to a respectable total of 137 before they got bundled out. Rabada took on Southee and scored 25 runs from 16 deliveries including four fours and one six. With the run out of Arshdeep Singh, PBKS got all out with 10 balls to spare.
