KKR vs PBKS: Twitter Reacts As Andre Russell's Pyrotechnics Takes KKR Over The Line

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Andre Russell pummelled Punjab Kings (PBKS) to submission in their league stage clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.

Chasing a meager target of 138, KKR was in huge trouble as they lost their first four wickets inside seven overs. Venkatesh Iyer had another poor outing while the skipper, Shreyas Iyer, threw his wicket away after a good start.

Nitish Rana’s miserable run continued as he was dismissed for a duck by Rahul Chahar. With the team down in the dumps, Russell had to step up big time and the West Indian didn’t disappoint.

What followed was carnage as he blitzed his way to 70 off just 31 balls. The knock was studded with two fours and eight massive sixes, each one outdoing the other. A close contest turned into a one-sided affair in a matter of overs as KKR chased the target down with 33 balls to spare.

Earlier, PBKS’ intent-filled innings was entertaining to watch for the neutrals but it did more harm than good. They maintained a high run rate but wickets fell at regular intervals until none were left at 137.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa played all of nine balls but ended up being the top scorer with 31 runs. Kagiso Rabada played a cameo at the latter phase of the innings, propelling the total to 137. In the end, it was nowhere close to enough.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to KKR vs PBKS:

Similarity between Wrestle Mania and Russell Mania p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->z<!---->b<!---->T<!---->L<!---->i<!---->j<!---->i<!---->D<!---->U<!---->4

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Just imagine that @<!---->y<!---->_<!---->u<!---->m<!---->e<!---->s<!---->h went unsold in the first round of mega auction. And now he is #<!---->P<!---->u<!---->r<!---->p<!---->l<!---->e<!---->C<!---->a<!---->p holder
of #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2 . #<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t<!---->T<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->c<!---->4<!---->f<!---->Y<!---->f<!---->4<!---->W<!---->P<!---->e<!---->n

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Russell’s muscles are still going strong! #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Andre, the T20 giant will always steal the headlines. But KKR must be delighted with how Billings was so assured at the other end. And Umesh’s spells are just getting better. #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

When you want the party to get over asap- you turn on the Dre Russ mode on? #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->a<!---->M<!---->n<!---->8<!---->6<!---->p<!---->c<!---->B<!---->p<!---->5

— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Hard to stop Andre Russell if you don't have enough quality in your bowling attack. 70* (31) while chasing 138, that too after walking in to bat in a tense situation. He has handed KKR a big boost in NRR.#<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

#<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

Russell Russell be like : p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->f<!---->7<!---->O<!---->6<!---->j<!---->L<!---->v<!---->O<!---->u<!---->M

— ａ (@aqqu___) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Damn.. Russell has batted like just three overs man. What unreal hitting. #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

THIS IS PEAK ANDRE RUSSELL INNINGS, never ever underestimate Dre Russ ??? p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->D<!---->r<!---->x<!---->C<!---->8<!---->x<!---->o<!---->7<!---->i<!---->5

— Sohom ᴷᴷᴿ (@AwaaraHoon) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Russell doesn't hit six. He hits your ego.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Russell is so clear of Pollard and should be a universal fact now . p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->p<!---->o<!---->Y<!---->e<!---->0<!---->k<!---->h<!---->U<!---->5<!---->5

— – (@shahdiot) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Andre, the T20 giant will always steal the headlines. But KKR must be delighted with how Billings was so assured at the other end. And Umesh’s spells are just getting better. #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Russ u beauty @<!---->R<!---->u<!---->s<!---->s<!---->e<!---->l<!---->l<!---->1<!---->2<!---->A ?? @<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->i<!---->d<!---->e<!---->r<!---->s congratulations ? #<!---->s<!---->i<!---->x<!---->e<!---->r<!---->k<!---->i<!---->n<!---->g

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Dre Russ after coming on:#<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->H<!---->a<!---->i<!---->T<!---->a<!---->i<!---->y<!---->a<!---->a<!---->r #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->y<!---->5<!---->P<!---->3<!---->O<!---->M<!---->S<!---->C<!---->J<!---->v

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

8 sixes in the 31 balls he faced. the guy is freak show! #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Kkr is so much stronger with Andre Russell in the best mode! #<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Welcome back my friend @<!---->R<!---->u<!---->s<!---->s<!---->e<!---->l<!---->l<!---->1<!---->2<!---->A so long since saw the ball fly so high!!! It takes a life of its own when U hit it Man! And @<!---->y<!---->_<!---->u<!---->m<!---->e<!---->s<!---->h wow! To @<!---->S<!---->h<!---->r<!---->e<!---->y<!---->a<!---->s<!---->I<!---->y<!---->e<!---->r<!---->1<!---->5 & team well done.Have a happy nite boys.

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

This match is the opposite of Oscars. This time Smith got smacked.

#<!---->K<!---->K<!---->R<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->O<!---->d<!---->e<!---->a<!---->n<!---->S<!---->m<!---->i<!---->t<!---->h p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->1<!---->6<!---->3<!---->O<!---->F<!---->S<!---->w<!---->K<!---->3<!---->t

— Sarcasm (@sarcasmicmemerr) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Andre Russell loves KKR, KKR loves Andre Russell – the franchise has sent him to Texas for working his fitness after IPL 2020, had tough times again in IPL 2021 but has started well in IPL 2022 with his brute power. p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->5<!---->0<!---->l<!---->g<!---->f<!---->O<!---->v<!---->k<!---->T<!---->3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

Most Runs so far -Andre Russell
Most Sixes so far -Andre Russell
Highest Strike Rate -Andre Russell

Jamaican Power has arrived in #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2. p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->F<!---->A<!---->q<!---->R<!---->V<!---->u<!---->p<!---->x<!---->M<!---->P

— KKR Bhakt??? (@KKRSince2011) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->2

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