Kolkata Knight Riders‘ rode Andre Russell‘s stunning assault and Nitish Rana‘s fifty to overcome a slow start and post a daunting 200 for 9 against Delhi Daredevils.
Sent in to bat first, the hosts were off to a poor start. Sunil Narine was once again promoted as opener but failed to get going. The West Indies star could score just 1 before being sent back by Trent Boult.
Robin Uthappa then played some big shots to give the innings the much-needed impetus. On the other hand, Chris Lynn took his time and was hitting the occasional boundaries. However, Uthappa could not last long, departing after scoring 35 off 19. Shabaz Nadeem broke the 55-run stand. Lynn soon departed after playing an uncharacteristic 29-ball 31- runs knock. On the other end, Nitish Rana went after Delhi’s bowling right from the start and found a good partner in Dinesh Karthik.
The duo played shots all around as Kolkata entered the three digits in the 12th over. Karthik, however, did not last long and departed after playing a stroke-filled knock of 19. Karthik’s departure, however, did not bring any respite for Delhi as Andre Russell wreaked havoc on them right from the word go.
The West Indies allrounder, who had scored 88 off 36 against Super Kings, blew away the opposition attack with some fierce shots. In the meantime, Rana completed his fifty off 30 balls with the help of 3 fours and 4 sixes. Delhi finally heaved a sigh of relief when Russell was sent back by Trent Boult. By then he had already inflicted a lot of damage with his 41-run knock. It came off only 12 balls and was studded with 6 sixes. Rana soon joined his teammates in the dugout after scoring 59 off 35. The hosts eventually finished on 200 for 9 despite scoring just 1 run in the final over.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
Very impressive…..Nitish Rana. #KKR rate him very high and he has delivered today. That partnership with the merciless Russell means we are looking at a second big run chase for #DD
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 16, 2018
Tewatia is too good and this move from Gauti is just too class.
1 Run and 3 wickets so far
He should have given his full quota of overs. #KKRvDD #DilDilli
— Aditya Yellanki (@adityayellanki) April 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/CricAussieFan/status/985915002384146432
How impressive has Rahul Tewatia been so far? What a fantastic last over – a run & three wickets. Excellent stuff by the leggie! ?? #KKRvDD
— Arjun Ashok (@arj_90) April 16, 2018
Three wickets and just one run for Tewatia in the final over for Delhi Daredevils. Incredible. #KKRvDD
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) April 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/CricAussieFan/status/985914208721108992
Russell mania at the Eden. Giving him a life may have sealed Delhi's fate
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 16, 2018
Shami’s wife must be cheering for Russell. #KKRvDD
— Akshay (@AkshayyJayyn) April 16, 2018
Shami’s wife to Andre Russel.
#KKRvDD pic.twitter.com/7TDF9hZCww— Kaju Katli (@kaju__katli) April 16, 2018
Andre Russel hurting Moh Shami more than his wife.#KKRvDD
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) April 16, 2018
41 runs off 11 balls. The drug is working!! #KKRvDD
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) April 16, 2018
Andre Russell Removes Mask. It's Mohammed Shami's Wife. #KKRvDD #KKRvsDD
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 16, 2018
When I grow up I want to be Andre Russell's lofted off drive for six…
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) April 16, 2018
What a knock young Rana is playing, clubbing all bowlers to different parts of the ground with 4s and 6s! Could see another 200+ score here
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 16, 2018
Commentator : Shami is proving too expensive
Shami’s wife : Expensive ! Lawyer ko bolti hoon ek zero aur badha de alimony mein— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) April 16, 2018
Some outstanding catches this IPL already. Roy's diving effort at long on to dismiss Lynn one of them. Match in balance as Karthik arrives
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 16, 2018
Lynn never looked in and for a change, Shami has begun really well. Could end with 3 for 20 odd on his homeground, mind you
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 16, 2018
KKR wasting Gill maybe too much research.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 16, 2018
After tepid start, Lynn and Uthapa cutting loose for KKR. Gautam beginning to look `gambhir' again…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/MazherArshad/status/985893189423857666
DK following odd-even policy of Arvind Kejriwal. Tom Curran on even days, Mitchell Johnson on odd days.#KKRvDD
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) April 16, 2018
* toss *
* dd won the toss *
gambhir: sunil narine jaayega mere sath opening karne.
dk: bsdk tu dd ka captain hai abb#KKRvDD
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) April 16, 2018