(RCB 205/3 in 20 Overs (Kohli 84(49), De Villiers 63(32); Narine 1/30) lost to KKR 206/5 in 19.1 Overs (Russell 48*(12), Lynn 43(31); Negi 2/21) by 5 wickets.)
In this article of #FlashbackFavourites we take a stroll down to the memory lane to relive KKR’s sensational win over RCB. Match 17 of IPL 2019, saw KKR clashing against RCB at the storied M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. On a night of big sixes, Dre-Russ delivered an unfathomable knock which stayed in the minds of the KKR fans for a long time.
After having chosen to bowl first, KKR bowlers faced the challenges of a good Chinnaswamy batting surface. The runs were extremely hard to stop and RCB continued to build partnerships one after the other. Despite the difficulties, the bowlers delivered a few quick wickets after a sensational Virat Kohli-AB De Villiers partnership. KKR managed to make a comeback in the final half of the innings and stemmed the flow of runs for a while. RCB, who looked all set to get a mammoth target, looked as if they were falling short of their desired targets. However, a Marcus Stoinis cameo helped them reach 205 at the end of the innings but KKR pulled back the game considerably well.
Chasing 206 looked to be an uphill task, yet KKR got a blazing start from Sunil Narine & Chris Lynn. Sunil went after a brief stay but Robin Utthapa didn’t let the momentum drift one bit as KKR looked on top in the run-chase. However, quick wickets hampered KKR’s chances of reaching the target. Robin, Lynn & Dinesh Karthik - three key wickets fell in a quick while as the chances of chasing down the total looked bleak. But as they say, ‘it’s not over until it’s over’ - out came might Dre-Russ to step up like he always does. After taking a couple of balls to adjust, Russell unleashed humongous sixes at the Chinnaswamy. He was able to smash 6 sixes in the matter of 10 balls taking the equation from 52 required of 16 balls to 1 run required of 6 balls. Dre-Russ completely turned the game on his head and spared no bowler. In the end, KKR cruised to victory with 5 balls left, as Andre stayed not out on 48 of just 12 balls - 1 four and 7 sixes. KKR pulled off a heist in Bengaluru due to Russell’s heroics and this win will stay in the mind of KKR fans for a long long time.
