The Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Punjab Kings by six wickets in IPL 2022’s eighth match earlier tonight. Andre Russell and Umesh Yadav stole the show with their brilliant individual performances. While Russell scored 70 runs off just 31 balls in the second innings, Yadav set up the game for KKR with a four-wicket haul in the first innings.
Earlier in the evening, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and invited the Punjab Kings to bat first. PBKS lost the wicket of Mayank Agarwal early. Keeping the dew factor in mind, the PBKS batters decided to play aggressively. Bhanuka Rajapaksa smashed 31 runs off just nine balls.
However, the other batters could not impress much. Kagiso Rabada was the next top scorer with 25 runs. Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for KKR with figures of 4/23, including one maiden. Tim Southee backed him up with a couple of wickets.
Chasing 135 runs to register their second win in the new season, the Kolkata Knight Riders lost four wickets in the first seven overs. Andre Russell then united with Sam Billings to stitch a match-winning partnership of 90 runs, where Russell scored 70. The Jamaican power-hitter was in full flow as he hit two fours and eight sixes. Speaking to host broadcasters after the match, Russell said:
“I told Sam to wait and let’s see what happens, before going after them from one end. Obviously, I told him I’ll look for the big hits. Chahar bowled really well with the kind of grip he was getting. We knew it would be easy once the pacers come on. Only connected one right from the meat of the bat.”
Twitterati react to Andre Russell’s destructive innings in Mumbai
Fans on Twitter went berserk after the crazy knock from Andre Russell. Here are some of the best reactions:
Andre Russell activated beast mode against PBKS.
📸: IPL/BCCI#IPL2022 #AndreRussell pic.twitter.com/mer1GH4nBw
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 1, 2022
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ANDRE RUSSELL. That's it. That's the tweet. 😍#AndreRussell #KKRHaiTaiyaar #KKRvPBKS #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/nNOcYYhyrR
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 1, 2022
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Andre Russell the current Orange Cap holder of IPL 2022. pic.twitter.com/kvMkYAYnnT
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 1, 2022
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Kkr is so much stronger with Andre Russell in the best mode! #KKRvsPBKS
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 1, 2022
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Andre Russell magic!!!!!
Kolkata was 51 for 4 from 7 overs then Russell smashed unbeaten 70 runs from just 31 balls including 2 fours and 8 sixes while chasing 138 runs – What a knock, Russ. pic.twitter.com/SKveK6jSjb
Advertisement— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 1, 2022
What a Brilliant Win by KKR. This win goes to Andre Russell Strom. What an Innings from Andre Russell. Second Victory for KKR in this IPL. pic.twitter.com/eJypfN9B4Z
Advertisement— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) April 1, 2022
Andre Russell : The Monster in IPL. Single handedly made this match one sided, what a hitter of the ball. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ccdNZiGgW8
Advertisement— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) April 1, 2022
Time & again, andre Russell will come in & save kkr batting. What a KKR legend.
Advertisement— arfan (@Im__Arfan) April 1, 2022
There are few players whom you want to see perform for the love of cricket. Andre Russell in one of them. #KKRvsPBKS
Advertisement— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) April 1, 2022
Incredible Innings from Andre Russell, He Smashed 70* runs from 31 balls including 2 fours and 8 Sixes against PBKS. Absolute Beast batting from Russell.🔥
AdvertisementThat's Called Single-handedly Winning The Match. 🔥👏#IPL2022 || #KKRvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/RV6nj7U6Ou
— Khalil Khan (@Khalil__Says) April 1, 2022
