Andre Russell Makes KXIP Repent After He’s Bowled Off a No-Ball

Andre Russell scored 47 off 17 balls as Kolkata scored 218/4 in their 20 overs

Russell smashed 48 off 17 balls as KKR finished on 218/4 in their 20 overs. 

(Photo: BCCI/ IPL)

Sport is a great leveller and no one would agree more than Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been through a roller-coaster ride in the last 48 hours.

On Monday, Kings XI Punjab captain Ashwin was at the centre of the controversy as he 'Mankaded' Rajasthan Royals' in-form batsman Jos Buttler, a perfectly legal dismissal but an act which triggered a debate concerning 'Spirit of Cricket'.

On Wednesday, Ashwin was at the receiving end of a harsh yet perfectly legal call by on-field umpire Anil Chaudhary.

KKR's last match hero Russell had walked in at the fall of Nitish Rana's wicket and got a perfect yorker from Mohammed Shami off the last delivery of the 17th over. Russell was on his way back to the dug-out. However, to the horror of KXIP players, umpire Anil signalled no-ball and a free-hit.

Ashwin was at his wits end thinking that Shami had overstepped only to find out that KXIP had one fielder short of the mandatory four inside the 30-yard circle. It was David Miller, who was not inside the circle.

It was an elementary rule but the normally thorough skipper wasn't as vigilant as he was when he 'Mankaded' Buttler. He was seen shouting in frustration and giving a hard stare at KL Rahul, the keeper, who he thought should have been more watchful.

Russell, who came into bat at number five for Kolkata, found it tough to get going from the start but the no-ball gave him the luck he needed. He ended his innings finally on 47 off 17 as Kolkata finished with 218 for 4.

It was as if he suddenly found his lost touch after the no-ball as he blasted the ball to all corners of the ground much to the excitement of the KKR fans at Eden Gardens. Russell’s innings consisted of three fourd and five sixes in what some exciting strokeplay

Earlier, Punjab won the toss and asked Kolkata to bat first. Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn gave KKR a brisk start as the duo added 34 inside 3 overs of which Narine scored 24 off 9. After the duo was dismissed in quick succession, Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana added a 110-run stand to stabilise the innings. While Rana scored 63, Uthappa was unbeaten on 67.

Seeing Russell plundering the Punjab bowlers, here is how the Twitter reacted.

(With inputs from PTI)