Russell fireworks clinch victory for KKK over CSK

KOLKATA, India, CMC-West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell slammed an unbeaten half century and grabbed two wickets as Kolkata Knight Riders edged Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets with a ball to spare in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday.

Andre Russell scored 55 from 32 balls to get his side across the line
Andre Russell scored 55 from 32 balls to get his side across the line

Russell, promoted in the batting order, scored 55 from 32 balls to get his side across the line at 169 for three wickets after CSK totaled 165 for nine wickets in 20 overs.

Russell smashed four fours and the same number of sixes teaming up with Robin Uthappa to take the game away from CSK.

He got to his half-century after hitting Dwayne Bravo for two huge sixes in the 17th over to help boost KKR to nine points in eight matches and to third place in the table.

Uthappa top scored with an unbeaten 80 which included seven fours and a six.

Earlier Russell picked up two wickets for 20 runs from his four overs as  CSK fail to get off to the ideal start losing Dwayne Smith off the first ball of the innings.

But Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja built a steady partnership for the sixth wicket to put on a run-a-ball 57 to get CSK to a decent position before Bravo was bowled off the bowling of Andre Russell.

Bravo hit four fours while scoring 30 from 32 balls while Brendon McCullum top scored with 32.