Andre Russell the giant

Bengaluru: Andre Russell once again came to the party to deny Royal Challengers their first win as Kolkata Knight Riders snatched a five-wicket win over Royal Challengers at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

Russell’s unbeaten knock of 48 (1x4s, 7x6s) was the difference between the two sides as he single-handedly took the

Knight Riders home to victory, to demoralise Bengaluru’s hopes as they remain winless after five games. Russell turned the game on its head as he smashed Tim Southee for 29 runs in the 19th over and effectively closed out the game with an over to spare.

Knight Riders’ chase got off to a disastrous start in the pursuit of 205 as Sunil Narine was caught at fine-leg in the second over. Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa steadied the ship with a 64-run partnership and Uthappa holed out to Southee at long-off as he tried to up the ante.

Chris Lynn was given a reprieve on 42 as Mohammad Siraj failed to hold on to  Stonis delivery but the damage was limited as Lynn failed to read a Negi delivery which rattled his stumps. With a demanding asking run-rate, Rana skied a wrong ’un from Chahal which was gobbled up by the 12th man Heinrich Klaasen. Karthik struck a four and a six off Saini’s 17th over and departed trying to clear the mid-wicket fence.

Russell hit a hat-trick of sixes in the 18th over to keep the match in the balance as Siraj was taken out of the attack mid-way for bowling two beamers and Stonis was taken to the cleaners by Russell.