Under immense pressure with Kolkata Knight Riders reduced to 79/8 in the 13th over chasing 112, Andre Russell delivered a power-packed counterattack, smashing 17 runs off Yuzvendra Chahal’s final over to swing momentum back in KKR’s favour. Russell’s blistering knock in the 14th over, which included two towering sixes and a fierce four, changed the course of the match, leaving KKR needing just 17 off the remaining 36 balls.
Chahal, who had earlier put KKR on the ropes with a sensational 4-wicket haul, including the key scalps of Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh in consecutive balls, saw his final over spoiled by Russell’s brute strength.
Here’s what happened in the 14th over:
-
13.2: Chahal to Russell – SIX, just over long-off
-
13.4: Chahal to Russell – SIX, lofted over long-on
-
13.5: Chahal to Russell – FOUR, smashed over cover
-
17 runs in the over
This sudden twist came just after a strategic timeout, when KKR were on the verge of collapse at 79/8. Punjab Kings had earlier posted just 111 in 15.3 overs, with Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15) being the top-scorer. Harshit Rana starred with the ball for KKR, taking 3 for 25.
In reply, KKR faltered early and lost wickets in a heap, with Chahal’s 4 for 28 causing massive damage. Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer all fell cheaply, and Marco Jansen also chipped in with 2 wickets.
But Russell’s composed aggression post-timeout has now brought KKR to the brink of victory, needing only 17 runs with two wickets in hand and six overs remaining.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a nail-biting finish.
