Sunrisers Hyderabad traveled to the Eden Gardens to face Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2nd game of IPL 2019. The two powerhouses of the league produced a wonderful contest that ended in the favor of the hosts. SRH was in the driver’s seat for the large part of the game but a lad named Andre Russell snatched the victory from them.

Initially, Dinesh Karthik opted to field after winning the toss. David Warner, who was making a comeback in the league, looked determined from the outset. He had Jonny Bairstow to accompany him. Warner went on the offensive while his partner played second fiddle to him. The opening pair added 118 runs before Piyush Chawla removed Bairstow for 39.

But Warner kept going and notched up a half-century. He was cruising towards a century until Russell thought otherwise. The opener’s knock of 85 from 53 balls included 9 fours and 3 sixes. Vijay Shankar’s late cameo of 40 from 24 took SRH to 181/3 after 20 overs.

KKR lost Chris Lynn early for just 7. Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa kept them in the game by adding 80 runs for the 2nd wicket. But the hosts lost Uthappa and Karthik in quick succession. Rana departed after scoring 68 from 47 balls as KKR found themselves at 118/4 in the 16th over.

The equation reached 53 from the last 3 overs and seemed in favor of the visitors. But Russell was still out there who was charging himself up until that point. He went absolutely berserk and slammed Siddharth Kaul and Bhuvneshwar for massive sixes. The 18th and 19th overs conceded 19 and 21 runs respectively. With 13 needed from the last over, Shubman Gill stepped up and finished the job with a couple of sixes.

KKR vs SRH Match Summary

Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and opted to bowl first

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 181/3 in 20 overs

David Warner 85 (53), Vijay Shankar 40 (24)

Andre Russell 32/2 (3), Piyush Chawla 23/1 (4)

Kolkata Knight Riders: 183/4 in 19.4 overs

Nitish Rana 68 (47), Andre Russell 49 (19)

Rashid Khan 26/1 (4), Siddharth Kaul 35/1 (4)

Kolkata Knight Riders won by 6 wickets

Player of the Match: Andre Russell

Here’s how Twitter was buzzing during the game

Incredible from Andre Russell. The scariest finisher in T20 cricket. And Vijay Shankar of India, who bowls, goes back to being the Vijay Shankar of the IPL who doesn't. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/cricketaakash/status/1109832027841294336

That Andre Russell innings – as KKR scored 54 in their last 16 balls to win – distils why power hitting can make ground fielding, and smart running between the wickets, irrelevant in T20. Power hitting like that makes '1 percenters' irrelevant — Tim (@timwig) March 24, 2019

So pleased to see @davidwarner31 back. Yes, he made a mistake and he got the punishment for it. Now, let's just please focus on the class he is.#KKRvSRH #KKRvsSRH #DavidWarner #IPL2019 — Shubham Khare (@shubhamkhare71) March 24, 2019

Warner and Sunrisers. The partnership continues. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2019

Warner is BACK … #IPL2019 — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2019

Some more KKR vs SRH Twitter Reactions

https://twitter.com/sanjaymanjrekar/status/1109786049700458496

Warner didn’t go anywhere…right?? Warner has issued a strong warning… #KKRvSRH #IPL — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 24, 2019

Glad to see @davidwarner31 back with a punch. Shows tremendous character #KKRvSRH — Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) March 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/s_badrinath/status/1109792831953084416

David Warner looks in superb touch at Eden Gardens. Brings up fifty on his IPL return inside nine overs with barely a false stroke along the way. #KKRvSRH — Matthew Taylor (@MattyA_Taylor) March 24, 2019

warner is so much better off smashing the ball than finding ways to tamper with it #KKRvSRH — Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 24, 2019

A match winning knock off Russell's bat and KKR win by 6 wickets. We'll be back stronger, #OrangeArmy!#KKRvSRH #RiseWithUs — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 24, 2019

His Instagram profile reads – Am a big deal – NO, @Russell12A – You’re the biggest bloody deal .. The @IPL is here … #KKRvSRH — Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/KKRiders/status/1109822953489731584?s=19