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So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentator, Shashwat Kumar as we wrap up the proceedings of this fixture. Do follow the Spice Isle T10 which is going on currently. Otherwise, do join us tomorrow with a lot of action there with the IPL, Ireland vs Bangladesh 1st ODI all to be played out! Until next time, it is a warm good-bye!
Andre Russell, Player of the Match: We already discussed the ball was gripping. So we wanted to target the pacers. When we needed 30 off two overs, knew that we could definitely get it. Those two sixes and the other one that I cut over deep point gave us the momentum. I wanted to finish the game off, but we have a finisher this year in Rinku. I had full belief in Rinku that he can finish it off. Now, I have a partner at the end who can finish games that releases a lot of pressure. I get goosebumps seeing him doing what he's been doing. He is very disciplined, hard-working. Also a very funny guy, there is always a funny moment with him around
Andre Russell has been named as the 'Player of the Match'
Nitish Rana (Kolkata Knight Riders captain): When I was batting, I wanted to have the strike and attack since Venky wasn't comfortable with his ankle. 10 matches went away, we were all waiting for that one Russell innings to come. It was always one innings away for him. We have full confidence in him. Our bowlers couldn't execute well at the death, I was upset that we conceded so many runs in the last two overs because this was a 160-165 run track. (Regarding Rinku and his heroics) I just keep telling him, believe in yourself because what you have achieved is something not many people will. When I came to KKR, I used to hear chants of 'Russell, Russell'. Now, when he was batting, the whole crowd was chanting 'Rinku, Rinku'. I was so happy with that
Rinku Singh: I didn't think about the last ball. Even when I hit those five sixes, I had a free mindset. I had the belief that I can win the game. Used to batting in different positions now, I also practice according to different scenarios.
Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab Kings captain: (On how he is feeling) Not feeling that great, we lost the game. It was not an easy track to bat, felt that we had a good total. At the end, they played well. (On Arshdeep) It was a phenomenal effort. It was great the way he bounced back after the last game. All credit to him that he took the game to the last ball. We don't have a good off-spinner, that is where we are leaking a bit of runs when left-handers come in. I think that is where we took the hit.
MATCH OVER!
Kolkata Knight Riders won by five wickets!
Kolkata Knight Riders 182-5 (20)
Nitish Rana 51 (38) | Andre Russell 42 (23)
Rahul Chahar 4-0-23-2 | Harpreet Brar 4-0-29-1
How does he do this again and again? Rinku Singh is the flavour of Kolkata this IPL! The KKR openers, Jason Roy and Rahmanullah Gurbaz started steadily until Nathan Ellis foxed the latter with a superb slower delivery in the 5th over. Roy still ensured that KKR had a good end to the Powerplay with him taking on the likes of Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone.
However, Roy's 38-run knock was brought to an end by Harpreet Brar with just his second delivery. Thereafter, Punjab managed to sneak in a couple of economical overs but the decision to bring back Livingstone for another proved costly as Rana managed to take the Englishman for 16 runs. Just as Rana managed to get going, he lost Venkatesh Iyer at the other end off Rahul Chahar's bowling. Chahar struck gold once again a couple of overs later as Punjab stormed back into the game.
The game continued to swing in different directions as both Andre Russell and Rinku Singh managed to fetch 15 runs off Ellis' bowling in the 17th over. Arshdeep followed it up with a decent over but Andre Russell reduced the entirety of the pressure by smashing 20 runs in the penultimate over bowled by Sam Curran. Needing to defend 6 off 6 balls, Arshdeep Singh stepped up and conceded just four runs off the first balls before he ran out Russell who tried to sneak in a bye. With two required off the final ball, Arshdeep delivered a full-toss and Rinku put it away to the fence like does so regularly these days!
20
overs
182/5score
0
1
1
2
W
4
runs
Rinku Singh*
21(10)
Shardul Thakur
0(0)
Arshdeep Singh
0/39
19.6 Arshdeep Singh to Rinku Singh, RINKU WINS IT FOR KKR! Full toss fired down the leg side. This time, Rinku holds his ground and shovels it past fine leg. One bounce and into the ropes! Catch Rinku if you can as he embarks on his celebratory run! He is there at the end for KKR again - just like he was in Ahmedabad weeks ago! And this topsy turvy game goes KKR's way, who are, believe it or not, level on points now with PBKS!
WOW! Drama here at the Eden Gardens! Andre Russell is run out and KKR need 2 off 1 ball with Rinku Singh on strike. Remarkable stuff from Arshdeep Singh!