KKR vs GT Review – Clinical chase from Shankar, Miller sees Gujarat on top
Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) clinched their sixth win of the season as they emerged victorious against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), beating the hosts by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 30 on the back of an all-round show from both batters and bowlers. Shubman Gill started the Titans’ chase perfectly, followed by Vijay Shankar and David Miller adding the finishing touches to double up the good work done by bowlers Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmed and Joshua Little.
Hardik won the toss and decided to bowl first as the match started after a 45-minute rain delay. KKR opener Narayan Jagadeesan and No. 3 Shardul Thakur were dismissed for mere 19 and a nought, respectively. However, this did not stop Rahmanullah Gurbaz from playing a blazing knock, as he slammed 81 in just 39 balls before being done by Noor Ahmad (2/21). Down the order, Andre Russell scored a quick-fire 34 off 19 balls with three sixes and two fours to help KKR to 179. Shami got 3/ 33 runs while Little too got two wickets under his belt.
In reply, Wriddhiman Saha and Impact Player Gill got 41 runs the first wicket before the former was sent packing. Gill carved out a well-built knock as he got 49 off 35 balls to help lay a solid foundation in the chase before Shankar (51* off 24) and Miller’s (32* off 18) snatched the game away from the home team.
Top performers from the match
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: The KKR opener registered the highest individual score in the IPL by an Afghanistan batter. He made a comeback in Jason Roy’s absence. With seven maximums and five boundaries, Gurbaz scored a blazing 39-ball 81 against a hapless Titans bowling unit.
Vijay Shankar: Vijay Shankar’s knock came at a point when KKR were steady in the contest. However, he slammed five sixes and two boundaries to score an unbeaten 51 off 24 balls to take the match away.
What’s next for both teams?
KKR meet Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 4 whereas GT will square off against Delhi Capitals on May 2 in Ahmedabad.
