Andre the Giant

On a night when few things went their way, in a season where nothing went their way, RCB threw away a game they could have and should have won.

sportstar.hindu.com Russell muscles his way to 48 from 13

RCB’s match against KKR was one colossal brain fade for the entire squad of Royal Challengers Bangalore. By the 17th over, even the commentators had declared that it was game, set and match for the Royal Challengers. But as SRK declared emphatically in a tweet later, they may know cricket but they didn’t know Andre Russell.

RCB had lost 4 on the trot and was in deep deep trouble. Desperate to win, Kohli and ABD stepped up to the plate and batted out of their skins to get them to a respectable total on a good batting pitch at the Chinnaswamy.

Narine went out early to Saini, but the top order kicked off very well. Chris Lynn finally got back into the groove and at his murderous best, got the party to the roof of the Chinnaswamy. Lynn had always been vulnerable to spin, but brain fade number one saw Chahal being introduced only in the 6th over.

Brain fade number two was Siraj’s dropped catch, although that didn’t cost RCB all that much. His demise came against Negi in the next over, reinforcing the first brain fade all over again. Rana kept up the pace with Uthappa even after their dismissal,

Brain fade number three was not bowling Moeen. All evening long, the spinners had been wreaking havoc on a pitch that was unequivocally a batsmen’s paradise. For a team whose biggest issue was their fifth bowler, not bowling him was inexplicable.

Chahal and Negi’s combined spell had cost them just 45 runs in 7.1 over with three wickets. The fourth brain fade was not bowling out Negi and that showed at the end after Russell went out on a killing spree.

It began with Siraj’s (brain fade number 5) horrendous 18th over-the fourth ball was the second beamer in as many balls, which effectively meant the end of the night for Siraj. Mind you, even that ball had been put away for a six.

Stoinis came on to bowl Siraj. Any iota of control they had, went away. Just last week, Russell had won KKR games from a similar position that they were in right now. He was primed to repeat the deed once again- and he did.

bowled his second beamer on the fourth ball of the 18th over, which meant he couldn't bowl anymore in the match. Russell had smoked that ball for a six. Stoinis replaced Siraj, and from there, the home side lost whatever control they had. Two more sixes were smashed in the next two balls and the game turned in Knight Riders' favor.

Tim Southee’s next over went for 29- no matter what length he bowled, they all went for a boundary. From 53 off 18, the scores were now level. Negi finally came on to bowl, but by now it was too late. Gill took a single and that was game, set and match- for real this time.