Twitter Reactions: Dre-Russ and Shubman Gill bring ecstasy to KKR fans in the City of Joy

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) eventually managed to cease their losing streak in this edition’s Indian Premier League (IPL). The team, captained by Dinesh Karthik, won by 34 runs against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Most importantly, KKR keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the playoffs. The day was more memorable for the home team, who won their 100th T20 game.

The Dre-Russ and Gill show

After losing the toss, the Knight Riders came out all guns blazing. Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill didn’t die wondering and put on an opening stand of 96 runs off 57 deliveries. The former notched his half-century in 27 balls after which Rahul Chahar got rid of him, much to Mumbai’s delight. The young Gill didn’t stop and accomplished his fifty in 32 deliveries. Meanwhile, Andre Russell came to bat at number three.

Gill got out to Hardik Pandy following his knock of 76 off 45 balls with six fours and four sixes. Russell was a tad cautious to start his knock, but he picked up. The Jamaican ended up scoring 80 runs from 40 balls. In his knock, he smashed six fours and also completed 50 sixes in the tournament. Rahul Chahar disturbed him a wee bit but to no avail. The Knight Riders raced away to a colossal 232 in 20 overs.

Hardik Pandya tries valiantly

MI got off to a horrendous start as Sunil Narine accounted for the prized scalp of Quinton de Kock for a golden duck. Thereafter, Harry Gurney trapped Rohit Sharma plumb in front. The visitors’ powerplay turned out to be a poor one as they could only garner 41 runs. Dre Russ came to the party and picked up Evin Lewis. Suryakumar Yadav threatened with a 14-ball 26 and he became Russell’s second victim.

Thereafter, Hardik Pandya went berserk and raced off to a half-century off a mere 17 balls. In the last six overs, Mumbai were faced with a required rate of over 16. But that didn’t faze Pandya and kept peppering the boundary with sheer ease. Pandya spat venom and muscled his way to 91 off 34 balls with six fours and nine sixes. Gurney picked his wicket and that pulled the curtains down on the game.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the high-scoring encounter

So Hardik Pandya is basically Andre Russell without the muscle.#KingsOfSixes

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 28, 2019

Pun Diya ! Incredible innings from Hardik #KKRvMI

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 28, 2019

Outstanding hitting @hardikpandya7 class 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 28, 2019

Ridiculous Batting skills … @hardikpandya7 91 off 34 balls !!!! #ipl2019

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 28, 2019

Hardik Pandya could be the Lance Klusener of 1999 for India in #Worldcup2019 #WC19 #KKRvMI #IPL2019

— Vimal Kumar (@Vimalwa) April 28, 2019

Hardik Pandya….. 🙌🙇‍♂️ #KKRvMI

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 28, 2019

Massive total put up thanks to some fantastic batting by @RealShubmanGill, @lynny50 and @Russell12A. However, with a beautiful surface to bat on and a lightning quick outfield, this could turn out to be a very close game. What do you think guys? 😊 #KKRvMI

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 28, 2019

Some quality batting by #kkr against few top class T20 bowlers in the world! Mountain to climb for #mi but not impossible. #KKRvMI #VIVOIPL #GameBanayegaName

— Pragyan Prayas Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 28, 2019

ATTENTION TO PARENTS – if your child wants to play cricket please contact @andrerussell12 parents cos whatever he's been eating packs a punch! Another amazing knock when @KKRiders needed it the most?#KKRvMI #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/1ELmodfK2s

— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) April 28, 2019

The thing to marvel about Russell’s batting this season, more than the power, is the consistency. Breathtaking stuff! 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏#KKRvMI

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 28, 2019

Russell comes in at no.3 and plays another gem. 80 of 40, excellent knock from Shubman as well. Looks so solid up the order. 232 is huge #MIvKKR

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 28, 2019

Krunal Pandya will have to really develop one of his two skills to have a long term limited overs career. I would suggest batting. #MIvKKR

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 28, 2019

Kolkata Knight Riders today:

-> 100th victory in the Twenty20 format
-> Ended their 6-match losing streak
-> Ended their 4-match losing streak at Eden Gardens
-> Ended their 8-match losing streak against MI#IPL2019 #KKRvMI

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 28, 2019

Most sixes in IPL 2019:

50 – Russell
32 – Gayle
27 – HARDIK PANDYA
26 – De Villiers
19 – Warner

Pandya only Indian in top-5. #KKRvMI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 28, 2019

Teams with 100-plus T20 wins:

Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Lancashire
Nottinghamshire
Warwickshire
Kolkata Knight Riders*#KKRvMI

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 28, 2019

Hardik Pandya looks more tenacious & trenchant after the Koffee With Karan fiasco. Seems like he has turned over a new leaf. Always had enormous ability but has now gained acumen to harness it effectively! Stunning innings. His form augurs well for World Cup #IPL2019 #KKRvsMI

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 28, 2019

Least balls/six in IPL 2019 (5+ sixes):

4.68 – Russell (50 sixes)
6.63 – PANDYA (27)
7.82 – Moeen (17)
8.00 – Pollard (18)
8.56 – Gayle (32)
9.56 – Narine (9)
9.60 – Pooran (5)
10.81 – ABD (26)

Pandya only Indian! #KKRvMI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 28, 2019

KKR's first T20 match: April 18, 2008
RCB's first T20 match: April 18, 2008

KKR's 100th T20 win: April 28, 2019
RCB's 100th T20 defeat: April 28, 2019#KKRvMI

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 28, 2019

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