Kolkata, Mar 24 (UNI) Andre Russell's 19-ball-49 powered Kolkata Knight Riders
(KKR) to a thrilling 6 wickets triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in VIVO IPL
play at Eden Gardens here on Sunday.
SRH batting first made 181/3 with 85 from David Warner on his return to cricket
from one-year suspension for ball tampering.
KKR needed 182 in 20 over made 184/4 in 19.4 overs.
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan waved his hands at the cheering crowds after
the win.
The host needed 34 runs in last 12-ball reached the target with 2 balls to spare,
than a hurricane 49 from West Indian all rounder Andre Russell, who also took two
wickets.
Not out Russell's 49 came from 19 balls with four 4 and four 6s and Shuvam Gill
remained unbeaten on 18 from 10 balls. He also hit two sixes.
This was KKR 7th season win in the opening match since 2013.
Nitish Rana was the highest run maker for the visitors as he made 68 from 47-ball,
his 6th IPL half-century.
Rana's concentration might have affected as play was interrupted for about 10
minutes as power from a northern tower went off forcing the umpires to stop play
when KKR score was 118/3 in 15.2 over.
On return 25-year-old southpaw Rana was held LBW from Rashid Khan delivery.
Nitish Rana's 47-ball-68 came from 4s-8 and 6s-3.
KKR lost their first wicket early at 7 when opener Chris Lynn (7) after having a six
off Shakib Al Hasan's second delivery, mistimed another attempt in the same over
and Rashid Khan held on his both hands silencing the local fans, which turned out
over half lakh in the stadium.
The 66,000 plus capacity stadium was also studded with KKR owner and
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, was also seen waving hands towards the
cheering crowds on the opening IPL match in the city.
After early exit of Chris Lynn, Nitish Rana and hard hitting Robin Uthappa
steadied the wicket and picked up runs in tandem before Uthappa was bowled
by Siddharth Kaul on 35. Robin Uthappa, who survived a catch on 20, hit three
boundaries and a six in 27-ball.
Uthappa was dropped at 20 by Yusuf Pathan from Rashid Khan delivery.
Pathan, who bat poorly, had no control over the line of ball as it dropped
before his hands.
KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik (2) was out quickly when his SRH counterpart
Bhuvneshwar Kumar caught him from Sandeep Sharma's slow delivery as the
host were then 3/95.
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