KKR vs MI IPL 2019 report: Hardik 91 off 34 in vain as Russell mania keeps KKR alive

It was the battle between the power-hitters. Andre Russell blasted 80 off 40 balls with 8 sixes while Hardik Pandya hammered 91 runs off 34 balls with 9 sixes. But the fact that Russell’s carnage was supported by Shubman Gill’s 76 and Chris Lynn’s 54 and Russell himself bowled four overs with just above six runs in an over in a match with 400 plus runs meant that KKR defeated Mumbai by 34 runs and kept their play-off hopes alive.

Gill, Lynn shine before Russell carnage 

Runs at the ? which made the difference. ? @lynny50 @RealShubmanGill @Russell12A #KKRvMI #VIVOIPL #IPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/nx9tO2XSsV

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 28, 2019

KKR opened the innings with Shubman Gill and Chris Lynn and the ploy worked as the duo scored 96 runs for the first wicket. Lynn hammered 54 off just 29 balls to give KKR a blazing start while Gill carried the innings till the 16th over with his audacious 76 off 45 balls.

With the openers providing the platform, KKR unleashed Russell at number three and he made the most of it by slamming 80 runs off 40 balls. He scored eight sixes and six fours in his blitzkrieg innings that took Kolkata to 232 runs in 20 overs.

Birthday wishes from our special fan for the man of the match! ?@Russell12A @harshulgoenka1 #KKRvMI #VIVOIPL #IPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar #KorboLorboJeetbo #AndreRussell pic.twitter.com/XShJoLyPJ9

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 28, 2019

Mumbai crumble in big chase

In response, Mumbai Indians lost Quinton de Kock in the first over against Sunil Narine while Gurney found Rohit Sharma LBW in the fourth over. The procession of wickets continued after the Powerplays as Evin Lewis and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed by Andre Russell in successive overs. Pollard too fail to deliver his magic and scored 20 off 21 balls.

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Hardik explodes, nails nine sixes

The Helicopter shot belongs to one man. We'll call it the Hardikcopter every time this man plays it. UNBELIEVABLE ? https://t.co/cczaGbggIF

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 28, 2019

With Mumbai falling apart from one end, Hardik Pandya produced a sensational counter-attack from the other end and created more than a a glimmer of hope.

Also check how Delhi defeated RCB in IPL 2019

Hardik added 63 runs with Pollard and 64 runs with Krunal to keep Mumbai in the chase. He clobbered Piyush Chawla for two sixes and a four in the 10th over and hammered two more sixes in his next over.

However as the asking rate became steep Hardik felt the pressure and latched a catch to Russell at deep mid-wicket while playing a hoick against Gurney. With Hardik’s demise, Mumbai chase too folded and the franchise finished with 198 runs.