Russell and Rinku star as KKR seal last-ball thriller
Arshdeep kept Punjab Kings in the game until the very end during an eventful final over
Arshdeep kept Punjab Kings in the game until the very end during an eventful final over
Scorer: K Vairavan | Commentator: @PeterDellaPenna
11.24 pm Rinku is doing what he can to keep KKR's playoff hopes alive. They claim two points to recreate a major deadlock at 10 points on the table with four other sides, but KKR has the second best net run rate of that group behind only Rajasthan Royals so it means KKR are officially in fifth place. A win for Punjab today would have put them on 12 points in sole possession of third place. Instead, they now sit seventh on the table as one of the teams in that five-way logjam on 10 points.
Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan: "Not feeling that great. We lost the game and it was not an easy track to bat on and I feel that we put on a good total. At the end, they played well. [Bowling Arshdeep in the final over] It was great, phenomenal effort from Arshdeep and the way he has bounced back from the last game, all credit goes to him. It was quite interesting that he took the game to the last ball so it was really good. [Asked about conceding so many runs in consecutive games] I feel that we don't have a good offspinner. When left-handers come, from one end we have a legspinner and at the other end we have a left-arm spinner. So that's where I feel we are leaking a bit of runs. This wicket was offering turn as well so I feel that's where we took the hit."
KKR hero Rinku Singh [translated from Hindi]: "I didn't think about the last ball. Even when I hit those five sixes, I hadn't thought much. (Penultimate ball run) I thought if I ran through then at least it will be a tie. But Russell was a bit slow off the blocks. I am getting used to batting in these situations since I come at No. 5-7. So I am practicing for those situations too."
Andre Russell has been named Player of the Match for his 42 off 23 balls: "We said that the ball is gripping a bit. We just have to stick in there and hopefully they miss their yorkers and miss their lengths. So I know once we needed 30 off two overs, it was very gettable. Even though they have good death bowling, the pressure with us swinging a big bat at the other end is always going to put pressure on the bowlers. So we always just back ourselves and happy that the guys come together tonight and we did it. I flick one surprisingly in the stands tonight. I didn't really swing at it but I was happy that it went for six because we really needed a boundary at that time. To get those two sixes and really get us momentum going into the other over and cutting another ball for six over point really put the icing on the cake. There was a little chaos on the back end there with me getting run out wanting to finish the job. But we have a finisher in Rinku and I was very proud of him. [Asked about running on the second to last ball to get off strike on the runout] When you have Rinku at the other end, I'm not worried whether I take a single or.... He said, 'Russ, what if the ball beat you, should we go for it?' I said, 'Yes, sure!' because I have confidence in him and the angle coming into him as well is a little easier because the ball was tailing away from me. [Arshdeep] was nailing his yorkers wide... So I'm happy. [Hearing the shouts of Rinku! Rinku! in the crowd] I get goosebumps seeing him doing what he's doing now and I have company in the back end of this franchise. It's not just me and pressure on me. If I get a single, I know what he can do. He's been here for years and he's worked his way to where he is right now and he still has so much more to give. Very disciplined guy, hard-working and he's the funniest guy in the team. So you can't have a dull moment around Rinku. I always try to be close to him in the changing room. He tries to be tough but we are good friends."
That's it for today's live coverage. Come back tomorrow for some more live IPL action. Until then, take care!
Shardul walks out to stand (before sprinting like a madman) at the non-striker's end for the final legal delivery. Hasn't bowled or faced a ball all day. Narrowly misses out on a TFC.
Had Russell taken off immediately, he'd have made the single with room to spare. But he hesitated for quite some time.
AD Russell run out 42 (34m 23b 3x4 3x6) SR: 182.60
At most times, Russell would have backed himself to face the final ball of a close chase, but here he had enough faith in Rinku's abilities
Arshdeep kept Punjab Kings in the game until the very end during an eventful final over
Kings have not won two games in a row since their first two this season, but will take confidence from the fact that KKR have lost their last three at home
Despite batting lower down the order, he provides huge value and consistency while playing a high-tempo game