Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell once again played a blistering knock to help his side post a respectable total on the scoreboard against Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Ishant Sharma provided Delhi Capitals with a perfect start after Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Eden Gardens. Kolkata Knight Riders made three changes while the visiting went with one change in Keemo Paul coming in place of Sandeep Lamichhane. Sharma bowled a peach of a delivery in the first ball of the match to castle the timber of debutant Joe Denly. It was a good length which swung after pitching to rattle the wicket of the Englishmen.
However, the wicket didn’t had any bearing on Kolkata Knight Riders as Shubman Gill, and Robin Uthappa put the bad deliveries to the boundaries. Gill was more attractive playing shots all over the park. The duo played some gorgeous looking shots to reach the fifty-run mark in no time. However, the hero from the last game between these two teams – Kagiso Rabada provided the much-needed breakthrough getting rid of Uthappa (28). Rishabh Pant plucked on to a stunning catch to dismiss the dangerous-looking Uthappa.
Meanwhile, this didn’t deter Shubman Gill as the young batsman kept going playing his natural aggressive game. He continued to play his shots while Nitish Rana played the second fiddle and in this process, Gill brought his first half-century of the season. But Delhi Capitals bounced back in great fashion to pick three wickets to have Kolkata Knight Riders for 122 for five.
Since then, Andre Russell muscled his way to help Kolkata Knight Riders post a good total on the scoreboard. It has been a regular scenario in this IPL and Russell didn’t disappoint. He scored 45 runs off just 21 deliveries including four sixes and three boundaries to provide the momentum before getting out. However, post his dismissal Delhi Capitals kept things tight to set a target of 179 runs at the end of 20 overs.
Twitter Reactions:
Top edges and mishits used to get people out. They don't even count anymore when Russell is batting
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 12, 2019
Top catch. Top ball. And you’re captaincy by Iyer. Rabada bowling the 9th over in the first innings isn’t the most obvious choice. Well done, #DC #KKRvDC #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 12, 2019
When Russel and Brathwaite batting together #KKRvDC @IrfanPathan pic.twitter.com/s72RIJJr9u
— Manish Shahi / मनीष शाही ?? ⚪️ (@sannushahi94) April 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/Baklol_wa/status/1116735772386680832
#KKRvDC pic.twitter.com/BW5JSfqvnV
— Vats (@vats_singh8) April 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/karthickramsamy/status/1116731040192614400
#KKRvDC #GameBanayegaName#DC bowlers right now- pic.twitter.com/7Xu9Vv08DD
— ओमकार परब ? (@om211196) April 12, 2019
Flashback moment tonight in #VIVOIPL Carlos Braithwaite on the crease at the iconic Eden Gardens with Ian Bishop in the commentary box! Can still easily recall, 'Remember the Name' moment from the T20 world cup! @IPL @StarSportsIndia #KKRvDC
— Priyank Bothra (@bothrapinkz) April 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/PriyankLovers/status/1116731987409031169
Lucky for the non striker#VIVOIPL #PerfectFan #Mumbai #KKRvDC @Vivo_India pic.twitter.com/nny8hizgBI
— सच Tweets (@sachin_contest) April 12, 2019
आज @RealShubmanGill की बल्लेबाजी देखकर, कोलकाता को समझ आ गया होगा कि अबतक उन्हें नंबर 7 पर बल्लेबाजी के लिए बचाकर वो गलत ही कर रहे थे, शायद आने वाले मुकाबले में शुभमन को ओपन करने का ही मौका मिले #KKRvDC
— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) April 12, 2019
After Six?#SOTY2 #SOTY2 #KKR #KKRvDC pic.twitter.com/CqDfwlcMaf
— सुपर कठोर सिंह जी ?? (@TheReal_Singh_) April 12, 2019