IPL 2019, RCB vs KKR: The eight balls of Andre Russell mayhem that had Royal Challengers Bangalore crushed

Andre Russell was at it again as he ransacked 48 runs off just 13 balls helping Kolkata Knight Riders an unlikely victory and hand Royal Challengers Bangalore their fifth straight defeat, from the jaws of victory.

Andre Russell was at it again as he ransacked 48 runs off just 13 balls helping Kolkata Knight Riders an unlikely victory and hand Royal Challengers Bangalore their fifth straight defeat, from the jaws of victory. (HIGHLIGHTS, RCB vs KKR)

Virat Kohli’s Bangalore had Kolkata under the pump, defending 205, when Yuzvendra Chahal got rid of well-set Nitish Rana in the 16th over, with Kolkata requiring 67 off 26 balls. Russell took his first strike against Navdeep Saini, which was a wide. One dot and a single followed. The West Indian then lost his skipper Dinesh Karthik in the over. (SCORECARD: RCB vs KKR)

On strike to Mohammed Siraj in the next over, Russell swung and missed two in a row, and then came a wide. However, from a very good over, Siraj made a hash of it with a beamer that allowed Russell to free his arms just enough to take the ball over the long-on fence, and from there on, the mayhem started:

17.3 – Mohammed Siraj to Andre Russell. no ball, SIX, SIX! Talk about the power this batsman possesses! A high full toss on off, Russell packs a punch and middles his shot perfectly. Sends it packing over wide long on for a biggie. Called a no ball for high full toss. Wait more drama here. We are hearing that this is the second high full toss (beamer) that Siraj has bowled and has to be taken off.

17.3 – Marcus Stoinis to Andre Russell. SIX, SIX! Effortless hitting! Stoinis delivers a short ball outside off, gentle pace really, Russell shows his brute power there and spanks it over long on. Is this the momentum shift?

Marcus Stoinis is called on to bowl now… the ball is also a Free Hit!

17.4 – Marcus Stoinis to Andre Russell. SIX, SIX! Over long off this time! Russell has unleashed. A fuller length ball outside off, the West Indian pounces onto it and hoists it over the fence. Into the crowd. The Aussie under immense pressure. He was not supposed to bowl this over and it seems that he isn’t well warmed up. Well, shots like these will surely warm up the batsman.

17.5 – Marcus Stoinis to Andre Russell. wide, 1 run, Wide! Russell is smart also. It’s not all about throwing his bat at the ball. This one is outside off, just outside the tramline, Russell picks it and makes a leave.

17.5 – Marcus Stoinis to Andre Russell. 1 run, Chases a short ball wide outside off and slaps it to deep point for a run.

18.2 – Tim Southee to Andre Russell. SIX, SIX! Into the stands! The length ball again, this time from the Kiwi! Russell clears his front leg and hits the ball way over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. 23 off 10, Kolkata look the favourites now with the way things are going!

18.3 – Tim Southee to Andre Russell. SIX, SIX! Another six, this time is it just over the rope at third man. A short ball wide outside off, Russell backs away and cuts it over backward point. The ball flies just over the rope. The crowd has gone silent here!

18.4 – Tim Southee to Andre Russell. SIX, SIX! This man is making a mockery of the chase! Around the wicket this time, low full toss on middle, Russell smashes this one over wide long on. No stopping this guy. This is just striking of the greatest quality. Just 11 off 8 needed now.

TRENDING NOW

18.5 – Tim Southee to Andre Russell. FOUR, FOUR! What a shot! A bouncer on middle, Russell waits for a bit and then ramps it over the head of the keeper. The ball is not going to be stopped. 7 off 7, Kolkata running away with the game here!

18.6 – Tim Southee to Andre Russell. SIX, SIX! Is this even real? Another six! Just another day for Russell in the park? A full length ball outside off, Andre hits it over long off and sends the ball sailing into the stands. 1 run needed off 6 balls. 29 runs off this one, 23 off the previous over. Bangalore have been stunned!