Russell scored one run off the first three balls before smoking a six over long-on on the second ball of the 17th over. He played two dots on the following two deliveries before hitting a flat six over mid-wicket on the fifth ball of the over.
Rashid came to Russell to have a look at the right-hander’s bat after he ran a single on the final delivery of the over. Later, Noor Ahmad was welcomed with a cracking four over his head on the opening ball of the 18th over.
Russell, who had 93 runs from eight innings ahead of the match, took his birthday bash at Eden Gardens to the final over as KKR finished on a high. On the fourth ball of the final over from Mohammed Shami, Russell got one delivery in his slot – full on middle and leg-stump – as blasted a 94 metres six over long-on.
He swung his bat again on the penultimate delivery as a top-edge flew over third man for a four. Russell gave it his all on the final delivery as well but was caught by Rahul Tewatia at deep point. However, the 34-run onslaught from 19 balls helped KKR post 179/7 in 20 overs.
ICYMI!
Birthday Boy @Russell12A smokes one out of the park 💥 🥳#TATAIPL | #KKRvGT pic.twitter.com/DmQbN3tRBJ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 29, 2023
Russell goes 💥💥
P.S. the signs were there… pic.twitter.com/v75b7XoV17
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 29, 2023
“Means a lot, the love I get from the fans is crazy when Im in Kolkata. This franchise is like family to me,” Russell said after the innings when asked about his feeling of playing at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
KKR are currently seventh on the 10-team points table and would be looking to beat Gujarat and give Russell a victorious present by defending the total.
