IPL 2019: Top 3 knocks by Andre Russell in IPL history

Andre Russell, the Jamaican all-rounder is perhaps the hardest hitting batsman in the Indian Premier League. Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders, Andre Russell has etched his name as one of the best IPL all-rounders of all time.

Russell made his IPL debut playing for the Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) in the 2012 edition of the IPL. He stayed with the Delhi franchise for two years but was released by them ahead of the 2014 IPL auctions. The West Indian had failed to impress with both bat and ball leading to his exclusion from the Delhi squad.

However, next season, Kolkata Knight Riders recruited him and Russell unleashed his true colors in the purple and golden jersey. Nicknamed as Dre Russ, he made sure that the Delhi franchise regret losing him.

He has won several awards in the league due to his incredible performances and so, let's have a look at the top 3 knocks of Andre Russell in the IPL so far:

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#3 39(24) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (2016)

Andre Russell blasted the RCB bowling attack and helped his team win the match

In the 30th match of the 9th edition of the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders locked horns with Virat Kohli's bold army, Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB batted first and KL Rahul's half-century, supported by Kohli's knock of 52 helped the Bangalore franchise post a total of 185 on the board.

Chasing a stiff target of 186, KKR's top order collapsed to 69/4 in 10.1 overs. However, Yusuf Pathan joined hands with Andre Russell at that time to bring KKR back in the match.

Russell smashed 4 maximums and 1 four in the innings and blew away the opposition bowling unit. His innings helped the Knight Riders win the match by 5 wickets and earned him the Man of the Match award.

#2 66(36) vs Kings XI Punjab (2015)

Andre Russell's blitzkrieg helped KKR win a thrilling encounter by 4 wickets

Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders collided at the MCA Stadium in Pune in the 14th match of the 8th edition of the IPL. Kings XI were sent in to bat first after Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to field first. George Bailey played a fantastic innings of 60 runs and helped his team reach the total of 155 in 20 overs.

The Punjab bowling attack reduced KKR to 60/5 as the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise was left reeling in the chase. Once again, Yusuf Pathan joined hands with Andre Russell as the two hard-hitting all-rounders tried their best to take KKR home.

Russell went all out on the KXIP bowling attack and scored 66 runs off 36 balls at a strike rate of 183.33, smashing 9 fours and 2 sixes.

Though he was dismissed in the 18th over, KKR won the match by 6 wickets to collect two points from the match.

#1 88*(36) vs Chennai Super Kings (2018)

Unfortunately, Russell's best IPL knock went in vain against the Chennai Super Kings

2018 saw the return of Andre Russell to the Indian Premier League after the all-rounder missed the 2017 edition due to a ban.

However, Russell made a triumphant return to the IPL against the Chennai Super Kings as he destroyed the CSK bowling attack in their own den. Russell wowed the Chepauk crowd with a magnificent innings of 88 runs off just 36 deliveries.

Russell came out to bat at the end of the 10th over with the team's score at 89/5. But, he completely changed the face of the innings by playing a brilliant knock comprising of 1 four and 11 mammoth sixes. CSK's key death bowler, DJ Bravo, was bashed the most by Russell as he up ended with figures of 0-50 in 3 overs.

Though eventually, Chennai won the match by 5 wickets thanks to a match-winning half-century from Sam Billings.

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