Picture Credit: IPL/Twitter
It was a must-win game for Kolkata Knight Riders against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Saturday. While a defeat for Kolkata would have meant curtains to their Playoff hopes yesterday, a win has kept them alive even though they can reach only a maximum of 14 points.
However, it wasn't an easy win to come by. After opting to bat first, it looked like Hyderabad would restrict Kolkata to a below-par score which would tilt the balance of the match in favour of the Orange Army. But it wasn't to be as Andre Russell had other ideas. The Knight Riders all-rounders remained unbeaten 49 off 28 balls to propel the Knights to a competitive 177/6.
That wasn't all, he later returned with the ball to pick up 3 wickets for 22 runs and help his side register a comfortable 54-run win. After the match, Russell was seen having a conversation with wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings. While the exchange was about the game, during a hilarious moment, Billings was seen imitating cricketer turned commentator Danny Morrison.
To add to the fun even Russell answered his question as if he was Danny.
Have a look at the video here:
The defeat implies that Hyderabad can also now reach a maximum of 14 points. They will hope to register two massive wins to up their net run rate and expect the results of other matches to go in their favour which is the only door remaining for them to proceed to the Playoffs.