IPL 2022: SRH vs KKR Review – Kolkata keep their hopes alive
Andre Russell’s all-round brilliance and small but crucial batting contributions from Sam Billings, Ajinkya Rahane and Nitish Rana helped Kolkata Knight Riders to a comprehensive 54-run win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a must-win clash at Pune’s MCA Stadium.
Russell’s smashed four sixes and three fours in his 28-ball 49 before returning with the ball to clinch three wickets in an economical spell to make it KKR’s night after his team had put up a competitive 177/6 on the board.
KKR lost opener Venkatesh Iyer cheaply, but Rahane (28 off 24) and Rana (26 off 16) injected some momentum with their second-wicket partnership of 48 off 33. Umran Malik removed both of them in a double-wicket over, however, Russell and Billings (34 off 29) added 63 off just 44 after that stutter to ensure KKR had enough to defend.
Out in pursuit of 178, Sunrisers Hyderabad never quite managed to hit the top gear, with both Kane Williamson and Rahul Tripathi struggling to make a move on even as Abhishek Sharma showed some intent from one end. Williamson and Tripathi consumed 29 balls for 18 runs between them, offsetting any momentum that Abhishek’s 28-ball 43 put in.
Two of SRH’s major middle-overs enforcers this season, Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram, did not click either. Pooran was undone by Sunil Narine in the immediately succeeding over after Varun Chakravarthy had sent back Abhishek. Markram hung around for a while, scoring 32 off 25, but found no support from the other end as Russell and Tim Southee joined hands to strike at regular intervals, ensuring SRH never came into chasing contention, kept down to 123/8.
Top performers of the match
Andre Russell
Russell shone with the bat in his power-packed 49 off 28, hitting four sixes and three fours, and then came hard at SRH with the ball, claiming 3/22 in his quota to cap off a sensational all-round performance.
Tim Southee
Each of KKR’s five bowlers struck on the night, picking at least a wicket each, however, it was Tim Southee who applied the choke with his control and discipline. He sent back Rahul Tripathi to set SRH’s collapse in motion as they slipped to 113/8 from 54/1. Southee returned with figures of 2/23.
What next for the two teams?
SRH will be against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 17, while KKR will play their last league game against Lucknow Super Giants at the DY Patil Stadium on May 18.
