Andre Russell returned to form with a bang with his maiden half-century of the season as Kolkata Knight Riders managed a slim one-run win over Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling last-ball finish to remain in the hunt for a Playoffs berth in the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
Electing to bat, KKR posted a healthy 206 for four before the bowlers’ collective effort fetched the defending champion’s second consecutive victory despite RR captain Riyan Parag’s heroic display.
RR tumbled early in its response. Vaibhav Suryavanshi fell cheaply to his namesake as home captain Ajinkya Rahane, with a bandaged right hand, ran backwards from mid-wicket for about 20 yards to complete a sensational catch. Kunal Rathore’s wicket made it eight for two.
AS IT HAPPENED | KKR vs RR HIGHLIGHTS
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Parag ensured a good PowerPlay before KKR’s reliable spinners exhibited their magic.
Moeen Ali accounted for Jaiswal and Varun Chakaravarthy bamboozled Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga in quick succession to make it 71 for five.
However, Parag and Shimron Hetmyer forged a defiant 48-ball 92-run partnership.
Parag (95, 45b, 6×4, 8×6) switched gear spectacularly, peppering both sides, and clobbered five sixes off Ali in the 13th over. Harshit Rana bowled well to remove Hetmyer and Parag but Shubham Dubey and Jofra Archer kept RR’s hopes alive until the end.
Andre Russell, who struggled against the spinners before flexing his muscles against the pacers, hammered Akash Madhwal, Archer and Maheesh Theekshana to treat the crowd seated between square-leg and cover in four consecutive overs.
| Photo Credit:
RITU RAJ KONWAR
Andre Russell, who struggled against the spinners before flexing his muscles against the pacers, hammered Akash Madhwal, Archer and Maheesh Theekshana to treat the crowd seated between square-leg and cover in four consecutive overs.
| Photo Credit:
RITU RAJ KONWAR
Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35, 25b, 4×4, 1×6) and Rahane added 56 runs off 33 balls to set the stage for KKR. Rahane (30, 24b, 1×4, 2×6) made light of his injury to play crispy shots before developing cramps in his leg. He and Raghuvanshi (44, 31b, 5×4), who worked the ball around and displayed handsome hits to the fence, added 42 swiftly.
Russell (57 n.o., 25b, 4×4, 6×6) stole the show with his brutal attack. The well-built Caribbean, who struggled against the spinners before flexing his muscles against the pacers, hammered Akash Madhwal, Archer and Maheesh Theekshana to treat the crowd seated between square-leg and cover in four consecutive overs.
Russell added 61 runs with Raghuvanshi before making merry with Rinku Singh for a stunning carnage to produce 34 runs in 11 deliveries.
