“Andre Russell, remember the name”: Russell activates beast mode, destroys Punjab

The eight-match of Indian T20 League 2022 took place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It was an encounter between Punjab and Kolkata. The game though promised to be a close-affair turned out to be a rather one sided match, courtesy Andre Russell.

Kolkata won the toss and decided to field first. It was once again a Umesh Yadav show for the men in purple. He dismissed Mayank Agarwal in the very first over and rocked the Punjab batting order. Punjab kept losing wickets at regular intervals and their innings never got the impetus they needed. Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a little cameo at the top of the order scoring 31 off 9 deliveries. The only other batter who contributed was Kagiso Rabada with 25 off 16 deliveries. Umesh Yadav later picked up three more wickets and finished with 4 wickets from his 4 overs conceding just 23 runs. Punjab’s innings ended in their 19^th over for just 137 runs.

At the halfway stage, the match looked over for Punjab. But they decided to make a fight of it. Punjab started on a high dismissing Rahane for 12 in the second over. After this three more wickets fell quickly and Kolkata was soon 51 for 4 in the 7^th over of their innings. Andre Russell walked in at these stage and the situation was all set for a ‘Russell-Show’. He began his show and changed the course of the game in a matter of moments. With 8 sixes in a knock of 70 runs off 31 deliveries he just destroyed the Punjab bowling. Sam Billings partnered him very nicely playing a second fiddle and scoring 24 off 23 deliveries. Kolkata won the match by 6 wickets with 33 deliveries still to be played in the match. The big win will reflect in the net run rate of Kolkata.

Umesh Yadav is making the difference in every game for #KKR so far. Great to see him perform, especially when he couldn’t even start in the XI in his last franchise. @ShreyasIyer15 as captain has used @y_umesh really really well. #PBKSvKKR #KKRvPBKS

— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) April 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/NamanShah2607/status/1509898072830078978?s=20&t=_r5MInNt3sflpSioj8BE9Q

Odean – is a great batsman on his day. Absolut shit bowler all other days. #KKRvsPBKS

— Lux Pursuits (@LuxPursuits) April 1, 2022

This time, against #PBKS, VINTAGE RUSSEL arrived. Taking it away single handedly. @Russell12A #KKRvsPBKS #IPL2022 https://t.co/hIl4kzVZPk

— SkewedySpeaks (@skewedyspeaks) April 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/JhawarMuskaan/status/1509937063809851392?s=20&t=_r5MInNt3sflpSioj8BE9Q

https://twitter.com/chenae876/status/1509937040531542016?s=20&t=_r5MInNt3sflpSioj8BE9Q

End of the season for Smith#KKRvsPBKS

— Sagar Dutt (@iSagardutt) April 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/Tutterdotcom/status/1509938059315642369?s=20&t=_r5MInNt3sflpSioj8BE9Q

Cricket is a great leveler.. Odean Smith the hero other day.. villain today…. #cricketlovers #KKRvsPBKS @IPL @PunjabKingsIPL @KKRiders @StarSportsIndia

— Umang Patel (@umang275) April 1, 2022

Really enjoy Sam Billings play, there’s a quiet confidence in the way he bats! Much needed in that KKR middle order! But you know he can go boom boom at a moments notice! #KKRvsPBKS #IPL2022

— Devang Bhandari (@iamdevb) April 1, 2022

Feel bad for @rdchahar1 . He has been superb these two matches without any support#KKRvsPBKS #IPL

— Manisha Karan (@ManishaKaran1) April 1, 2022

Odean Smith For Sheldon Cotrell

From Rahul to Mayank .

Punjab has not changed over the years .#PBKS #KKRvsPBKS

— cric_Kiran (@cric_kiran) April 1, 2022

Toss pe hi winner announce kar dena chahiye. #KKRvsPBKS

— Harshdeep Singh (@_harshdeep) April 1, 2022

What a shit bowling display by PBKS bowlers.#KKRvsPBKS

— ADIL ICT¹⁹⁹⁹ (@AdilMuzaffar3) April 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/SushantNMehta/status/1509940165154054150?s=20&t=_r5MInNt3sflpSioj8BE9Q

Punjab Kings just learnt you don’t win matches in the auction or on paper. #ipl2022 #KKRvsPBKS

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) April 1, 2022

Kkr is so much stronger with Andre Russell in the best mode! #KKRvsPBKS

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/SRKFanAzaan/status/1509940523280199685?s=20&t=_r5MInNt3sflpSioj8BE9Q