Andre Russell leads Kolkata Knight Riders to six-wicket win over Punjab Kings

MUMBAI: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Punjab Kings by six wickets in the Indian Premier League on Friday, thanks to Umesh Yadav’s 4-23 and Andre Russell’s unbeaten 70 from 31 balls.

After losing early wickets, Kolkata appeared to be in trouble before Russell’s power hitting — eight sixes and two fours — turned the game around.

In defence of their below-par total, Punjab dismissed both Kolkata openers, Ajinkya Rahane (12 off 11 balls) and Venkatesh Iyer (3 off 7 balls).

In the seventh over of the contest, Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar bowled a double-wicket maiden to reduce Kolkata to 51-4.

To boost Punjab’s chances, he got the wickets of Shreyas Iyer (26 off 15 balls) and Nitish Rana (two-ball duck).

Punjab’s most impressive bowler, Chahar, finished his four overs with two wickets for 13 runs.

With their match-winning partnership, Russell and Sam Billings, who hit an unbeaten 24 off 23 balls, put an end to any aspirations.

“Simply outstanding hitting – it was Russell muscle, for serious,” winning captain Shreyas Iyer said after the match.

Odean Smith, a West Indian all-rounder, was the most costly Punjab bowler, taking one wicket for 39 runs in two overs.

In one chase-defining over, Smith was blasted for four sixes and a boundary.

Earlier in the game, player-of-the-match Yadav gave his team a terrific start by dismissing Punjab skipper Mayank Agarwal for one run in the first over.

Punjab hitters struggled to keep up with Yadav’s fast pace and accurate lines.

Yadav also claimed the wickets of Liam Livingstone (19 off 16 balls), Harpreet Brar (14 off 18 balls), and Rahul Chahar (two-ball zero).

On a batting-friendly pitch, Punjab lost wickets throughout their innings and were unable to put together a partnership.

Yadav was ably supported by Tim Southee of New Zealand, who claimed two wickets for 36 runs in four overs.

Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, both of Kolkata Knight Riders, bowled crisp lines and only gave up 37 runs for a wicket in eight overs.

Bhanuka Rajapaksha of Sri Lanka and Kagiso Rabada of South Africa top-scored for Punjab with 31 off 9 balls and 16-ball 25 respectively.

Hard-hitting As Agarwal’s team were bowled out in the 19th over, Smith remained undefeated on nine from 12 balls.

“We didn’t bat well enough,” Agarwal said after his team’s loss.

“We showed some real fight with the ball initially but then Russell came in and got going. Credit to him for that,” he added.

For the latest Sports News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest Sports News on oldsite.bolnews.com