Synopsis: Gurbaz’s blitz takes KKR to a par ranking, nonetheless GT stroll by the chase courtesy Gill, Vijay Shankar and Miller
Gujarat Titans maintained their 100 per cent doc of worthwhile all away matches in IPL 2023, catapulting themselves once more on the best of the components desk after beating Kolkata Knight Riders on the Eden Gardens on Saturday evening. KKR, who’ve gained only one recreation this season at home, was despatched into bat after a 45-minute delayed start as a consequence of rain and a moist outfield. Young Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the stadium alight with an outstanding knock of 81 off 39 balls, nonetheless the dearth of help from the alternative end meant the home employees would end up with 179/7. GT romped home with seven wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare.
Tinkering with the best order
Even after eight matches this season, KKR are however to position forward a settled excessive three. In each recreation, their excessive three have worn a particular look and have failed continually. This was the first time Thakur was batting at No.3 in his T20 occupation. But the tactical switch did not work out as KKR would have appreciated as Shardul departed for a duck, courtesy of an outstanding catch by Mohit Sharma, who ran backwards to take a blinder. The absence of Jason Roy, rested as a consequence of a once more niggle, moreover affected the Knight Riders as Jagadeesan fell to Shami throughout the third over itself. This prompted KKR to ship Thakur nonetheless that didn’t work.
Rahmanullah’s blitz
Even as KKR misplaced two throughout the Powerplay, Rahmanullah Gurbaz saved the scoreboard shifting alongside together with his lusty blows. Gurbaz, who was a part of GT last 12 months nonetheless did not get a recreation, employed the strategy of shifting all through the stumps and hitting the balls cleanly on the on-side as he helped KKR attain 50 throughout the Powerplay. In the Powerplay, he scored 39 runs in 15 balls, hanging at 260.
Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz celebrates after his half century via the IPL 2023 cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Saturday, April 29, 2023. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)
Battle of the Afghans
Gurbaz’s nationwide teammate Rashid Khan was deployed throughout the Powerplay to stop him nonetheless Rashid conceded 14 off his first over as Gurbaz whacked him for a six and a 4 in consecutive deliveries. Gurbaz continued his assault on Rashid even after the Powerplay, finding out him merely, having fun with with the sphere. He reached his fifty in 27 balls, hitting 4 sixes and as many boundaries alongside one of the best ways. It was Rashid’s teammate Noor Ahmed who lastly obtained the upper of Gurbaz, nonetheless that was not sooner than the right-hander had scored 81 off merely 39 balls.
Did GT miss a Little trick?
Josh Little, launched into the assault after the PowerPlay, broke the backbone of KKR’s batting with two important wickets of Venkatesh Iyer and skipper Nitish Rana throughout the eleventh over of KKR’s innings. The left-armer stifled the Knights alongside together with his variations and cutters and constructed the stress along with Noor Ahmed. The KKR batters had struggled in opposition to RCB’s David Willey’s left-arm tempo as properly at Eden Gardens. However, with someone like Little among the many many ranks, Hardik Pandya taking the model new ball himself probably wasn’t a very good suggestion. Little, an online bowler for CSK last 12 months, scripted historic previous when he grew to change into the first Ireland cricketer to play throughout the IPL; he was bought for Rs 4.4 crore by GT.
Birthday boy’s fireworks
Russell’s fireworks with the bat on his birthday lifted the spirits at Eden Gardens. He was notably lethal on Rashid Khan, who had an off day conceding 54 runs in his 4 overs, smashing him for two sixes. However, in his private phrases, it regarded like a ‘190-200 wicket’.
Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders batter Andre Russell performs a shot via the IPL 2023 cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Saturday, April 29, 2023. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)
Gill and Gujarat begin on the offensive
Hunting down a purpose of 180 on a wicket that was offering spongy bounce might need been powerful for GT. But Gill, who acquired right here throughout the place of Mohit Sharma as an impression participant, and Saha, every with a wealth of experience having fun with at Eden, began with a bang scoring 32 throughout the first three overs.
Pretty quickly, KKR resorted to spin as GT scored briskly with Gill and No. 3 Pandya. Narine, who went wicketless throughout the earlier 5 matches, obtained the upper of Gill (49). Pandya too fell rapidly to the youthful Harshit Rana.
Miller and Shankar take GT over the highway
With the game evenly poised after 15 overs and Gujarat Titans reaching 129/3 (needing 51 from the ultimate 5 overs), Vijay Shankar and David Miller had the responsibility reduce out. KKR did not help themselves each as their impression substitute Suyash Sharma dropped a simple catch to current Miller a life, leaving Russell in anger.
Shankar, who was struggling for timing early on, unleashed a flurry of large sixes on Varun Chakravarthy, smashing 24 in an over whereas Miller walloped 18 runs off the leg-spinner Suyash Sharma as GT launched down the asking worth from 10 to a run a ball and accomplished the chase to perfection.