Russell’s knock in vain as Titans beat KKR in a thriller
Andre Russell's pyrotechnics proved to be too little too late in the end as Gujarat Titans defended a small total to clinch a dramatic eight-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL thriller here on Saturday.
With 12 points already in their kitty, the Titans are looking good for a play-off berth in their inception year.
KKR's top and middle order batters failed miserably in the wake of a clinical bowling display from the Titans with only Rinku Singh scoring 35 and it was left to Russell (48 off 25 balls) to go for a win and the West Indian nearly did it only to fail in the last over.
Chasing 157 for a win, KKR ended their innings at 148 for 8 after Russell was out in the second ball of the final over. He hit one four and six sixes.
Needing 18 from the final over bowled by Alzarri Joseph, Russell hit the first ball for a six before Lockie Ferguson took a fine catch in the deep under pressure from the vey next delivery to
Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya scored a solid 67 against KKR on Saturday end KKR's hopes.
Earlier, captain Hardik Pandya's third fifty of the season was the lone saving grace in Gujarat Titans' underwhelming batting show as they scored a below-par 156 for 9.
The Titans skipper missed the last game as a precautionary measure and looked a bit rusty even as he scored 67 off 49 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. KKR bowled as many as 43 dot balls and were brilliant at the death as they conceded only 29 runs and took as many as seven wickets in the final five overs. Andre Russell (4-5 in 1 over) got four wickets in the final over as Rinku Singh was a livewire in the field with four catches. However, an early breakthrough didn't stop Pandya from playing his natural, aggressive game as there was no marks for guessing as to who dominated their 75-run stand for second wicket stand.
David Miller (27 off 20 balls, 2x6), after a matchwinning knock against CSK the other night, gave his skipper some support.
Gujarat Titans 156 for 9
Kolkata Knight Riders 148 for 8