West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell starred in a tight win for Kolkata Knight Riders against their old foes Royal Challengers Bengaluru by just one run at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (April 21). Russell played a handy cameo of unbeaten 27 off 20 balls, hitting four fours; however, his three wickets in the second innings, including that of the dangerous Dinesh Karthik in the end, led to a comeback win for the hosts.

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Although Karn Sharma got the game close with three sixes to Starc in the final over, two wickets off the final two balls restricted them from winning their second game this season. 

With this win, KKR moved one spot higher to the second position, while RCB remained in the tenth position, with their chances of qualifying for the playoffs in the drain.

Deciding to bowl first after winning the toss, RCB leaked runs upfront, with KKR’s Phil Salt taking the attack to the opposition from ball one. His 14-ball 48 inside the Powerplay had RCB’s back against the wall. However, three wickets inside the first six overs derailed their momentum, as their scorecard read 75 for three. 

KKR Captain Shreyas Iyer looked in sublime touch, completing a crucial fifty (50 off 36 balls), and Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh contributed with 16 and 24, respectively.

Ramandeep Singh’s unbeaten 24 off nine balls and Russell’s 27 at the death propelled KKR to post another daunting total (222/6) at home this season.

So close, yet so far!

RCB openers Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli got the side off to a flyer before a controversial call saw Virat getting out caught & bowled to Harshit Rana. Faf departed in the next over as RCB’s scorecard read 35 for two inside four overs. 

Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar brought them back in the game, with the English all-rounder hammering a quickfire fifty, hitting 55, including five sixes and four fours. 

However, Patidar returning to form was best for RCB, as he also notched up his first fifty of the season, scoring 52 off 23 balls.

Meanwhile, Russell’s introduction broke RCB’s momentum, as he picked two wickets in his second over to dent their run.

With the Impact sub, Suyash Prabhudessai and RCB’s star keeper, DK, at the crease, the touring side believed they could get through. Russell, again, came in and delivered when his team needed him the most, removing Karthik inside the penultimate over. 

The last over, however, was the highlight of the innings, as Karn Sharma smoked Starc for three unbelievable sixes on the off-side to get his team closer to the win. With three needed off two balls, Starc removed Karn before Lockie Ferguson got run out on the last ball, as KKR beat RCB by one run. 

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