Andre Russell and Sam Billings stars as Kolkata Knight Riders defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad to clinch a must-win match by 54 runs

 

Andre Russell smashed a match-winning knock of 49 runs to take Kolkata Knight Riders over the 170-runs mark. And then he put a cherry on the top with his equally impressive bowling figures, which saw him take out rival skipper Kane Williamson, the dangerous Washington Sundar, and Marco Jansen.

After an initial slump, Sam Billings and Andre Russell take Kolkata Knight Riders back on track.

Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision looked suitable for Shreyas Iyer's men as they only lost Venkatesh Iyer (7 off six balls) early in the second over, but things were smooth-sailing after the first dismissal.

Kolkata finished the power play on good terms. However, after the first six overs, it got problematic for them. Looking good with the bat, Nitish Rana was sent back to the dugout by Hyderabad's marquee bowler Umran Malik for 26 runs in the eighth over.

Malik redeemed himself after three terrible games in which he finished his last ten collective overs wicketless. 

After Rana, Ajinkya Rahane's turn looked rusty despite three sixes in his 28 off 23 balls inning. Skipper Shreyas was next on Malik's list as he took out the batsman for 15 off nine balls in his second over. 

Natarajan then came in to support his teammate and removed Rinku Singh from the crease in the twelfth over. These quick dismissals took Kolkata's initial momentum away and left them in a rocky patch.

With only Russell and Sam Billings left as the reliable batsmen, it was upon these two to take out their side from their slump of 94/5. And they did precisely that. Andre Russell led the charge with his monstrous hits, and Billings supported him with the same ferociousness. 

Russell smashed Hyderabad bowlers for three fours and four sixes, while Billings had three fours and 1 six. 

Both the batsmen added 63 runs for the sixth wicket partnership. Sam Billings was dismissed in the nineteenth over after his impressive knock of 34 runs from 29 balls. In comparison, Russell remained not out with his compatriot Sunil Narine at 49 off 28 balls, just shy of a well-deserved half-century.

Kolkata Knight Riders finished with 177 runs on the scoreboard as Sunrisers Hyderabad prepared themselves for a hard battle.

Kane Williamson disappoints again as Sunrisers Hyderabad loses by 54 runs.

Kane Williamson and Abhishek Sharma opened for Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, after a huff-puff play in the first five overs, Williamson gave Kolkata their first breakthrough. 

Andre Russell was another reason to celebrate as he took out the opposition captain for just nine runs. Russell bowled full, and in the middle, Williamson tried to scoop it over but missed as the white ball took out the wickets.

Abhishek Sharma tried to lift Hyderabad's hopes with two sixes off Sunil Narine. However, he couldn't receive support from Rahul Tripathi, who departed after Tim Southee's amazing caught & bowled spectacle. 

Aiden Markram also provided some footing to Abhishek Sharma, but the opener himself departed in the twelfth over at 43 off 28 balls. 

After Sharma and Nicolas Pooran's dismissal, the Sunrisers Hyderabad fizzled out quickly and finished at 123/8 in 20 overs. 

In sixth place, Kolkata Knight Riders have 12 points from 13 games with a net run rate of +0.160. However, a playoff berth will be a far-fetched dream as Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore hover over them with better stats.

Meanwhile, even two good wins and 14 points won't be enough for Sunrisers Hyderabad after five straight losses with a Net Run Rate of -0.270 after 12 games.