IPL 2019: Andre Russell the star again as KKR down KXIP in Kolkata (Pics)

Andre Russell's second consecutive blistering knock made all the difference as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 28 runs in their IPL 2019 match in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Russell, who hit a sensational 19-ball 49 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in KKR's previous match, bludgeoned his way to a 17-ball 48 to propel the home side to a massive 2184 after being sent into bat. He later took two wickets for 21 runs to help KKR restrict KXIP to 1904 and emerge as the undisputed star of the match.

When on three, Russell was yorked by Mohammed Shami off the last delivery of the 17th over but to the horror of KXIP, the umpire signalled a no-ball as the visiting team was found to have one fielder short of the mandatory four inside the 30-yard circle.

The 30-year-old Russell made full use of the reprieve as he hammered five sixes and three fours from the next 11 balls he faced to send the Eden Gardens crowd berserk. He was dismissed in the final over.

KKR made 56 runs in 19 balls after the no-ball incident to score their highest IPL total at Eden Gardens. The KKR innings was lashed with 17 sixes.

Russell though was not the top-scorer for KKR. Robin Uthappa took that honour, remaining not out on 67 off 50 balls while Nitish Rana was the one who set the Eden Gardens on fire before Russell came out with a 34-ball 63.

The much-anticipated contest between two big-hitting Jamaicans from the rival teams, however, ended in a damp squib with Russell winning hands down against his much senior compatriot Chris Gayle.

The 'Universe Boss' Gayle was out in the fifth over of the KXIP run chase with a small contribution of 20 off 13 deliveries. The Punjab side were in deep trouble early on as Lokesh Rahul (1) was also out cheaply before Gayle in the second over.

It was left to Mayank Agarwal and David Miller to bring back KXIP into the game. The duo did well, raising 50 runs in 4.9 overs and stealing 19 runs from the 12th over bowled by Sunil Narine.