Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan on Friday (1st April) praised Andre Russell for his brutal innings against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 8 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 in Mumbai. He also lauded fast bowler Umesh Yadav and congratulated the whole team on the win.
KKR outclassed PBKS by 6 wickets to register their second win of the IPL 2022. A superlative bowling performance by Umesh Yadav, who registered his best figures in the IPL (4/23), helped KKR bundle out PBKS for just 137 runs.
Bowling first, the right-arm pacer gave his side a perfect start by removing Mayank Agarwal in the first over and then later removed Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar. Apart from him almost every other bowler chipped in and helped their side end the first innings on a high by bowling out the opposition for a low total.
Read Also: Cricket fraternity in awe as Andre Russell’s whirlwind 70* ensures KKR’s clinical win over PBKS
Chasing the target, KKR were in a spot of bother and were reduced to 51/4. However, after that Andre Russell took matter in his hands and along with Sam Billings ensured the win for their side. The all-rounder was at his rampaging best and took PBKS bowlers to the cleaners, smashing them all over the park.
He attacked Harpreet Brar in the 10th over, scoring 17 runs, and then smashed 23 out of 30 runs in the 12th overs of the innings which was bowled by Odean Smith. Russell reached his half-century in 26 balls and finished with a score of 70* from 31 balls to win the match for his side with 33 balls to spare.
After the match, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan lauded Andre Russell for his heroics. He welcomed the all-rounder back to the form and was delighted to see the ball fly ‘so high’ after a long time. The co-owner of KKR also praised Umesh Yadav and rest of the team for their effort.
“Welcome back my friend @Russell12A so long since saw the ball fly so high!!! It takes a life of its own when U hit it Man! And @y_umesh wow! To @ShreyasIyer15 & team well done. Have a happy nite boys,” Shah Rukh Khan tweeted.
KKR will be next seen in action against Mumbai Indians on April 6 at MCA Stadium in Pune.
