Kolkata Knight Riders were reeling at 31/5 while chasing a mammoth 221 in 20 overs against Chennai Super Kings in their encounter in the IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium. But what unleashed next was sheer masterclass from one of the finest strikers of the ball in world cricket, Andre Russell.
The right-handed batsman took the charge in his hands and began to hammer the CSK bowlers all around the park. He scored a 22-ball 54 that included six sixes and just three boundaries.
Russell was looking in great touch and set for a big score but a misjudgement of line and length from the West Indies all-rounder cost him his wicket. Sam Curran cleaned him up with a length ball which Russell thought would go for a wide down the leg side but instead the ball rattled the woodwork behind him.
In the post-match presentation, captain Eoin Morgan said that he tends to stay away from Russell after he gets out to which the Caribbean batsman responded that he was very disappointed with that kind of dismissal.
“Well, when you get out, and you know the job is not done, you tend to be angry and the HULK can come out. Last night was different. I was very emotional and disappointed. I wanted to take it home so badly. I was heartbroken,” Russell said.
Apart from Russell, Dinesh Karthik and Pat Cummins also took on the CSK bowlers. Karthik scored a quick-fire 40 off 24 but Cummins caused the onslaught in the later part of the innings. The right-hander struck 66 runs off 34 deliveries that involved six maximums and four boundaries.
KKR though fell short of the target and lost the match by 18 runs eventually.