IPL 2019: Russell shines once again, KKR register second consecutive win

With Andre Russell’s all-round performance, the Kolkata Knight Riders scored their second consecutive win by defeating Kings XI Punjab by 28 runs in an IPL match, thanks to half-centuries from Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa.
In response to KKR’s 218 for four, Punjab were all out for 190 for four in 20 overs. Russel scored 48 off 17 balls, which included five sixes and three fours. After this, he also took two wickets for 21 runs in three overs, which included Chris Gayle’s wicket. Earlier, Russell also scored 49 runs in 19 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was bowled by Mohammed Shami, but it was a no ball, as only three Punjab fielders were within 30 yards, while the minimum should be four.

Russel hit two sixes and two fours off Andrew Tye. After this, Shami hit KKR for two hundred runs after hitting three consecutive sixes. In the reply, Punjab’s hopes were set on Gayle, but he became a victim of Russell by scoring 20 runs in 13 balls. Mayank Agarwal scored 58 runs in 34 balls with the help of six fours and a six, while David Miller remained unbeaten on 59 off 40 balls. This included five fours and three sixes. Mandeep Singh remained strong with 33 runs in 15 balls but could not lead the team to victory.Earlier, Kings XI Punjab captain R Ashwin, who was playing the first match after the Mankading controversy, decided to bowl after winning the toss. KKR opener Sunil Narine proved his decision wrong by scoring 24 runs off nine balls.

After this, Rana scored his second consecutive half-century. He scored 67 runs from 34 balls while playing at number three. At the same time Uthappa remained unbeaten in 67 balls with the help of two sixes and six fours.

Rana, who got off to a slow start and scored 22 off 21 balls, hit Ashwin for two sixes and in the next over, Mandeep Singh opened his hands with two sixes. His next 41 runs were scored in just 13 balls. He added 110 runs in 66 balls for the third wicket with Uthappa.

On the basis of his brilliant performance in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Narayan hit three sixes and a four in the first over off the ball of Varun Chakraborty, bought for eight million and 40 lakhs in the IPL. Narayan was dismissed by Hardas Viljoen of South Africa.