Russell scored 42 from 23 deliveries during KKR’s tricky chase of 180, smashing three sixes and as many fours. All of Russell’s maximums came against Sam Curran during the crucial penultimate over when the Knight Riders required 25 runs from 12 balls.
The Caribbean giant played a massive role behind KKR’s successful chase as he took Curran to the cleaners, collecting 20 runs from the 19th over to cut down the deficit to 6 needed off the final over.
After getting the strike on the second ball, Russell cleared his leg and slammed Curran’s yorker to a big six over deep mid-wicket thanks to his classy flick shot. Next up, England’s all-rounder ended up pitching the ball on the slot, and the Jamaican superstar hammered the white leather into the night sky over deep mid-wicket for another six.
Curran then managed to stop Russell with a short delivery, but not for long, as on the very next ball, the Windies’ stalwart smashed the slower bouncer over point for the third maximum. On the final ball, Russell could only grab a single and ended the over that brought 20 runs for KKR.
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After the match, Russell explained that he didn’t try so much while hitting those first couple of sixes but admitted that those hits gave the Knight Riders much-needed momentum. Russell, however, enjoyed the final six, stating he already anticipated the plan of Curran.
“I flicked one and it was in the stands surprisingly. I didn’t really swing at it but those two sixes got us the momentum going into the next over. That six over point was really the icing on the cake. I know that as a bowler – because I think like a bowler when I am batting as well – I know he is not going to bowl that area again, he is going to do something else. The short ball he bowled, I missed out. Then he bowled a slower cutter into the wicket, so I gave myself little room and used my hands to get it over the field,” said Russell.
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