Twitter Reactions: Andre Russell show hurt CSK, propels KKR to 202 at Chepauk

The much-hyped first home game of the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 edition of the IPL finally got underway. After a thrilling win in the season opener against the defending champions Mumbai Indians, team CSK hoped to replicate their heroics in the first home game as well. As the things stand out at the half way stage, the Super Kings look pretty much on the backfoot in the game.

The Chennai Super Kings were in firm command of the game with five early wickets. However, what followed was a perfect combination of class and aggression. The KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik and the hard-hitting Windies all-rounder Andre Russell bailed the Knight Riders out of trouble. The duo added 76 runs in just 46 deliveries to take the KKR total over the 160-run mark. Riding on Russell’s brilliance, KKR eventually finished 202/6 with in their stipulated 20 overs.

Earlier in the game, the CSK skipper MS Dhoni had won the toss and had opted to bowl first. They were taken aback by a couple of sixes by Sunil Narine first up but Harbhajan Singh dismissed Narine in the second over of the game. Chris Lynn (22) also did not last long enough before being castled by Ravindra Jadeja. Nitish Rana (16) fell soon after and Robin Uthappa (29) was unfortunate to have been run out despite getting a good start.

Young Rinku Singh (2) failed yet again and the Knight Riders were 89/5 at the half way stage in the innings. It was just then that Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell joined hands at the crease. Their stand took KKR to safety. Karthik played a decent knock of 26 (25) before perishing in the 18th over. But the star of the show was Andre Russell.

Russell remained unbeaten on 88 off just 36 deliveries with a four and 11 towering maximums, which included a 105 metre six as well. He took special liking to the bowling of Dwayne Bravo, who conceded 50 runs in his 3 overs. Russell finished with a six to take KKR over the 200-run mark.

Here is how the fans reacted to the Kolkata Knight Riders innings:

Andre Russell !!!!!!!!!!!! #IPL

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 10, 2018

#CSK At the receiving end from an caribean tonight, excellent striking from #AndreRussell this is going to be solid score to chase down #CSKvKKR #BESTvsBEST #IPL2018

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 10, 2018

Bosh!! ?? always good to watch @Russell12A @KKRiders #KKRvsCSK

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 10, 2018

The last shot by andre Russell to slower one of bravo is pure power with great skill. The ball was dipping

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 10, 2018

Was an excellent power play for #KKR , but 2 crucial wickets pulling them back, a lot rests on the local boy skipper #CSKvKKR #BESTvsBEST #IPL2018

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) April 10, 2018

Russel to Shardul Thakur. #CSKvsKKR pic.twitter.com/X9e87KRK6E

— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) April 10, 2018

Andre Russell now holds the record of scoring most runs batting at No.7 in IPL beating DJ Bravo's 68 which he scored at Mumbai in 2018. #CSKvsKKR

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 10, 2018

CSK are a batsman short…and KKR is getting closer to a total that’s defendable. Might become the first team to win after batting first in this IPL. #CSKvKKR

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 10, 2018

Heights of Bravery.

Brave.

Braver.

Bowling Shardul Thakur at the death.#IPL

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 10, 2018

We have missed @Russell12A haven't we? Maybe unless you are bowler ?#CSKvsKKR #IPL2018

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) April 10, 2018

Russell vs Bravo in IPL:

76 runs
29 balls
Eigth sixes
No dismissals
SR 262.06#CSKvKKR #IPL2018

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) April 10, 2018

See the 36yo flying. #Dhoni

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) April 10, 2018

This guy is a beast @Russell12A. Just flexed his muscle. Cracker of a wicket. If dew comes into play it will be killer of a game! #CSKvsKKR #VIVOIPL

— Prragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 10, 2018

CSK fans are getting to see what they had expected. Someone returning to Chepauk, after serving a ban, is going bonkers #CSKvKKR

— Cricket Bakchod (@Cric_bakchod) April 10, 2018

An absolute sizzler by Andre Russell.. perhaps the best no.7 batsman at present in limited-overs! A touch of Abdur Razzaq in the manner he clears his left leg & smashes away.. #CSKvsKKR

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 10, 2018

.@Russell12A Are you serious?? #IPL2018

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) April 10, 2018

88 off 36 balls. 75% of Russell's runs have come in sixes!#IPL #CSKvKKR

— Pratyush Sinha (@prat1204) April 10, 2018

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