IPL 2019 | Can’t control Andre Russell when he gets going, claims Shreyas Iyer

Saturday night’s second match of the day between Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals and table-toppers Kolkata Knightriders turned out to be a treat for cricket lovers in the country and the rest of the world as well. The home team had done a magnificent job to dismiss the likes of Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill before they could do much damage and put KKR in a tough spot midway through the first innings. However, a hard-fought 50 from skipper Dinesh Karthik and a staggering knock of 62 from just 28 deliveries powered the visitors to a respectable total of 185/8 after 20.

Iyer heaped praise on the Windies all-rounder as the former admitted that once Russell gets going in the middle he is hard to restrict due to his raw power and confidence in his own abilities

"You can't control Andre Russell when he gets going. Even his mistimes go for sixes and even the bowlers find it tough to plan against him when things just don't go to plan," Iyer said at the post-match interview.

Chasing 186, the Capitals’ got off to a good start and looked in good stead to pull off a crucial win against high-flying Kolkata. However, Shaw’s dismissal at 99 and a brilliant last-over from Kuldeep Yadav ensured that the match ends in a tie. Prasidh Krishna bowled the super over for the visitors and managed to restrict Delhi to just 11 runs. Russell and Karthik walked out to the middle as Kagiso Rabada was entrusted with bowling the all-important final over of the game. Despite being hit for a four by Russell off the very first delivery, Rabada kept his calm and managed to defend the 11 runs on board and secure all three points for Ricky Ponting’s side.

"We weren't sure who was going to bowl and then Hopesy came up to me and said I was going to bowl that over. Obviously, lots of nerves. I just saw it as a simulation and glad it paid off. You have to keep your wits about you and be really clear on what you have to bowl. I just went with yorkers and it worked in the end. I was clear and backed my plan," Rabada added.