53rd Match: Punjab XI vs Kolkata XI at Kolkata, May 08, 2023
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 5 wickets
Punjab XI 179/7 (20)
Kolkata XI 182/5 (20)
RR: 9.1
Last 12 Balls: 1 6 6 . 6 1 | . 1 1 2 W 4
Current Partnership: 3 runs, 0.4 overs, RR: 4.5 (Harpreet Brar, Shahrukh Khan )
Last Wicket: Andre Russell 42(23)
19.6
4
4
Over 19.6 Arshdeep Singh bowls a good length delivery to Rinku Singh, Boundary!gets Moves across in the crease and flicked to the right of deep backward square leg and gets the winning runs with a boundary.
Andre Russell | Player of the Match: We already thought about it, the ball was gripping so we just wanted to stick it out. They miss their lengths and we could swing it around. Needing 30 off the final two, it was very gettable. I flicked one into the stands without really swinging at it. And that six over point put the icing on the cake. I wanted to finish the game off, but we have a finisher this year in Rinku. (On Rinku) He had told me what if the ball beats you, should we go for the run? I said for sure, I have faith in him to finish it last ball. I get goosebumps seeing him doing what he's been doing. I have company at the back end, he soaks the pressure off and he's been here for years now, a really hard-working guy. He's very funny outside the field, I try to stay as close to him while we are training. Feeling good, now!!
Nitish Rana (KKR): When I was batting, I wanted to hold one end. Venky had a problem with his ankle so we were trying to get one big over here and there. 10 matches have gone, we were all waiting for that one Russell innings to come. He was one innings away, I kept backing him saying you have done a lot, and you will 100% win us a game. This pitch was a feel of home advantage as well. Our bowlers bowled badly at the death, I was angry that we conceded that many because this was a 160-165 run wicket. (On Rinku) I just keep telling him, believe in yourself because what you have achieved is something not many people ever will. When he was batting, the whole crowd was chanting 'Rinku, Rinku'. That is what he has earned this year. I've been at this franchise for many years now, I'm used to the Eden crowd screaming 'Russell, Russell' but to hear them shout 'Rinku, Rinku' makes me feel very happy and proud. That's the respect he has earned this season.
Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS): Feels bad, of course not feeling great, we lost the match. Not an easy track to bat on, felt that we had a good total. In the end, they played well. It was a great effort from Arshdeep, the way he has bounced back from the last game. All credit to him that he took the game to the last ball. I feel we don’t have a good off-spinner, that is where we are leaking a bit of runs when left-handers come in. This wicket was offering turn as well, that is where we took the hit.
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 5 wickets
19.5
W
W
Over 19.5 Arshdeep Singh bowls a good length delivery to Andre Russell, out Russell Run Out!! Russell can't get under it. The batters try to steal the bye and Jitesh is smart to lob it over the stumps to Arshdeep. He waits and then throws it at the non-striker's end. He hesitated and Russell dived, but the big batter is still out.
