Big-hitting Russell lifts KKR

WEST INDIES star Andre Russell sparkled with the bat and then produced a miserly spell with the ball as his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stormed into the final qualifier of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a convincing 25run win over Jofra Archer’s Rajasthan Royals here yesterday.

With his Windies teammate Sunil Narine enduring a quiet allround night at Eden Gardens, Russell stepped up to fill the breach, finding his touch when it mattered most for the two-time IPL champions with a strong Man-of-the-Match performance.

Sent in, KKR never quite found their footing but still rallied to 169 for seven off their 20 overs, with captain Dinesh Karthik topscoring with 52 and Russell slamming an unbeaten 49.

They were slumping at 51 for four in the eighth over after Sunil Narine perished cheaply for four, but Karthik started the recovery in a 55-run fifth-wicket partnership with Shubman Gill (28).

Karthik faced 38 balls and struck four fours and two sixes while Gill belted three fours and a six in a 17-ball knock before he became Archer’s second wicket of the innings, edging a cut at one too close to him and falling to a catch at the wicket.

Russell then arrived to add 29 for the sixth wicket with Karthik aJanvdona Sfueratrhleesr (229) wfoirththBeasrebvaedniatnh to further lift the innings.

With just 57 runs in his six previous innings, Russell found his best touch, smashing three fours and five sixes in a 25-ball knock.

In reply, Sanju Samson topscored with exactly 50 from 38 balls, while captain Ajinkya Rahane struck 46, but KKR managed to restrict Royals to 144 for four off their 20 overs.

KKR will clash with Carlos Brathwaite’s Sunrisers Hyderabad tomorrow for a spot in Sunday’s final against Dwayne Bravo’s Chennai Super Kings.