IPL 2019: KKR v RCB – Cricket fraternity applauds Andre Russell’s breathtaking 25-ball 65 despite RCB’s victory

Russell and Nitish Rana added 118 runs off just 48 deliveries but KKR fell 10 runs short of RCB’s total.

Andre Russell and Nitish Rana made the mockery of RCB's bowling attack | IANS

Kolkata Knight Riders hosted Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 35th match of IPL 2019 at the iconic Eden Gardens on Friday (April 19).

Set into bat first, Virat Kohli notched up his fifth century (100 off 58 balls) to rescue RCB from a slow start and post 213/4 against KKR. The RCB captain’s dazzling ton was laced with 9 fours and 4 sixes. Kohli was helped on with a rampant half-century from Moeen Ali (66), whose 28-ball knock included five boundaries and six sixes. For KKR, Andre Russell was the stand-out bowler, claiming 1 wicket for 17 runs in his three overs.

Bolstered by the return of Dale Steyn, RCB demolished Knight Riders’ top-order and reduced the home team to 33/3 in 5 overs. While Steyn removed Chris Lynn (1) and Shubman Gill (9), Navdeep Saini got rid of Sunil Narine (18). The pair of Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa added 46 runs for the fourth wicket to steady the sheep for a bit but Marcus Stoinis sent Uthappa packing for 9 to dent KKR further.  

When things were looking and out for Kolkata, Russell joined Rana at the crease and the duo wreaked havoc on RCB bowlers from the outset. They literally toyed with the opposition bowling attack and added 118 runs off just 48 deliveries to put the hosts on the brink of victory. In particular, Russell was having fun in the middle as he brought up his fifty off 21 balls.

Needing 24 runs off the final over, Russell smashed Moeen for six in the third delivery before the off-spinner dismissed him two balls later for 65. Russell’s 25-ball knock was studded with 2 fours and 9 huge sixes. Rana (85* off 46 balls) smocked Ali for six in the final delivery of the match, but KKR eventually fell 10 runs short of RCB’s total.

Cricket experts on Twitter were left speechless by Andre Russell’s jaw-dropping innings despite RCB’s victory over KKR.

Here are some of the reactions:

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 19 Apr, 2019

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