KKR boss Shah Rukh Khan had words of appreciation for West Indies swashbuckling batter Andre Russell after his colossal knock against PBKS in the IPL 2022 contest on Friday.
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West Indies swashbuckling all-rounder Andre Russell was retained by KKR ahead of the IPL mega auction despite his poor run of form in the previous two seasons. After scoring at an average of 56.66 in IPL 2019, Russell’s average dropped to 13 and 26, in the consecutive season respectively.
However, his 31-ball 70 against PBKS on Friday, could be seen as a redemption in form and the KKR management would hope that carries his momentum to the upcoming matches.
His batting brilliance against PBKS was also applauded by KKR co-owner and mega star Shah Rukh Khan on Twitter. He also congratulated India fast bowler Umesh Yadav for his four-wicket haul in the match.
“Welcome back my friend @Russell12A so long since saw the ball fly so high!!! It takes a life of its own when U hit it Man! And @y_umesh wow! To @ShreyasIyer15 & team well done.Have a happy nite boys,” the KKR boss tweeted.
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Andre Russell (70 not out) and Sam Billings (24 not out) put on a exhibition show with their power-hitting abilities to help KKR chase down the target of 138 runs in 14.3 overs with six wickets in hand against PBKS in the IPL 2022 contest at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.
Chasing the moderate total, KKR lost their openers Venkatesh Iyer (3) and Ajinkya Rahane (12), cheaply.
Incoming batter and captain Shreyas Iyer, however, turned the tempo of the match towards his side as he notched up a cameo knock off 26 runs off 15 deliveries. His innings was laced with five hits to the fence.
However, Nitish Rana, failed to add to the team tally as he was sent packing for a duck. But Russell and Billings complimented each other in the middle to make the chase look easy.
The West Indies all-rounder was the aggressor through the innings while Billings played a perfect second fiddle to him by rotating strike and hitting the odd balls to the boundary.
Russell and Billings were involved in an unbeaten 90-run match-winning partnership. The West Indies giant hit two boundaries and eight massive sixes in his 31-ball knock while the KKR newcomer smashed one boundary and a six in his 23-ball cautious effort.
Yadav, meanwhile, maintained his purple patch in the IPL 2022 to return figures of 4/23 after running through the PBKS top and lower-order. His fellow New Zealand quick Tim Southee, meanwhile, picked up two wickets while Shivam Mavi, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell scalped one each.
