Russel powers KKR to another victory

Andre Russel put in a tremendous all-round performance as Kolkata Knight Riders registered their second victory in two matches, beating Kings XI Punjab by 28 runs in their IPL fixture in Kolkata yesterday.

Russel smashed 48 of 17 deliveries as Kolkata racked up 218 for four in their 20 overs before the West Indian came back to scalp two wickets as the visitors were restricted to 190, despite a 34-ball 58 from Mayank Agarwal and an unbeaten 40-ball 59 from David Miller.

Batting first, Russel came down the order to help set up the massive total for Kolkata after half centuries from Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa had set the tone for the innings.

Russell, who hit a sensational 19-ball 49 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, was brilliantly yorked by Mohammed Shami. But it was adjudged a no-ball as only three KXIP fielders were inside the 30-yard-circle against a mandatory minimum of four.

The Jamaican then hit top gear, smashing Andre Tye for two sixes and two fours. He then went on to hit Shami for three sixes in a row to take KKR past 200.

Playing his first match after the 'Mankading' controversy, Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin found the going tough after he opted to bowl with Sunil Narine unleashing the fury early on with a nine-ball 24.

SCORES IN BRIEF

Kolkata: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Uthappa 67 not out, Rana 63, Russel 48; Tye 1-37, Shami 1-44)

Punjab: 190 for 4 in 20 overs (Miller 59 not out, Agarwal 58; Russel 2-21)

Result: KKR won by 28 runs