IPL 2019: We Lost The Game In The Middle Overs: Andre Russell

Andre Russell, on Friday, put up yet another exhibition of power-hitting. The in-form Kolkata Knight Riders nearly took his side to another breathtaking win but the Knight Riders eventually fell short by just 10 runs while chasing an improbable 213 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Asked to bat first, the Royal Challengers rode on their skipper Virat Kohli’s century and Moeen Ali’s whirlwind fifty to put up the huge total.

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‘In reply, the Knight Riders were off to a disastrous start which eventually made the difference in the game as they lost a close contest. The two-time champions eventually fell short by just 10 runs. Knight Riders were reeling at 79 for 4 in 11.5 overs when Russell joined Rana in the middle. The two then launched a stunning counterassault to nearly stun Royal Challengers. Russell scored 65 from just 25 balls while Rana remained unbeaten on 85.

Their fight, however, went in vain as the Knight Riders eventually ran out of deliveries and finished on 203 for 5.  Following the game, Andre Russell made it clear that he was not at all happy with the the way his teammates batted during the middle overs. Russell perhaps referred to the innings from his senior teammate Robin Uthappa who managed just 9 runs from 20 deliveries. The allrounder also said that Knight Riders’ failure to do well in middle overs is a big concern.

“You know when you lose cricket games like these, it’s a sweet and sour feeling,” Andre Russell said. “I just think that a four and six could’ve got us over the line. We lost the game in the middle overs. Even though we should’ve restricted RCB for less than 200, I think the ball was in our court and we tossed the ball to their side. That’s what happened tonight.

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“If we batted faster in the middle period, we would definitely get the runs with even balls to spare. Well batted to Nitish, but this is something [of concern].”

The Knight Riders are now in danger of missing out on a playoff spot after slumping to their fifth defeat of the season and fourth in a row. The Knight Riders, who were on top of the points table not very long ago, are currently languishing at the sixth spot with 4 wins in 9 games.