‘Gujarat ko chase itna kyun pasand hai’ – Fans react as defending champions Gujarat Titans outmuscle KKR by 7 wickets in IPL 2023
Gujarat Titans reached top of the table after beating KKR by 7 wickets on Saturday.
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Apr 29, 2023 9:04 pm
Vijay Shankar (Source:Twitter)
Eden Gardens provided a solid pitch for batting for KKR and GT to play ahead of a delayed start due to rain. Interesting bowling statistics was on display for the Titans as the pacers and left-arm spinner, Noor Ahmad were brilliant, but their marquee bowlers in the form of Rashid Khan as well as Hardik went for runs, which is exactly the type of bowling that KKR is known for.
They got off to a good start with Jagadeeshan appearing aggressive, but they kept losing wickets. At 88 for 4, the team was on the verge of collapsing, but Gurbaz, who had replaced Jason Roy, kept things together with a brilliant 39-ball 81. He was the main man for the Kolkata Knight Riders for most of the innings and made sure that his team has a foundation for the other batters to finish with.
Andre Russell then contributed with a 19-ball 34. Little, Noor, and Shami made some outstanding bowling as the Titans conceded only 45 runs from the final 5 overs. Although a score of 180 might be a par score, KKR reckoned they were around 10 runs short
Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha started well as they got around 40 runs in the first four overs to put the pressure on the bowlers right from the start. Although they quickly lost Saha after that, Shubman Gill as well as Hardik Pandya put together a fantastic 50-run partnership.
Gill took the offensive role on the powerplay, scoring effortlessly against the pacers. At one point, it appeared as though these two would easily win the match, but KKR quickly responded by taking two wickets, as Pandya and Gill were dismissed in back-to-back overs.
David Miller and Vijay Shankar took some time to adapt to the crease especially the former appeared to be giving the initiative away. However, Shankar was completely aware of what he was doing as he switched gears just in time to thrash Chakravarthy for three sixes and a 24-ball fifty. Suyash Sharma, who had been bowling superbly up until that time, was taken out by Miller, who then began the carnage.
At the end, Gujarat Titans successfully surpassed the objective with over two overs to spare. They were being pursued with calmness and ice in their veins. KKR suffer yet another loss as they made one step forward only to go two steps back. Russell and Gurbaz helped them to finally find some runs, but today their trustworthy spinners proved to be expensive.
Fans react as defending champions Gujarat Titans outmuscle KKR by 7 wickets in IPL 2023 : –
What a crazy innings by Vijay Shankar!
51 unbeaten in just 24 balls with 2 fours and 5 sixes. A ruthless batting effort by Shankar in the chase, marvelous hitting! Take a bow, Shankar. pic.twitter.com/hzPoGPy0Ex
Vijay Shankar is playing like old Hardik Pandya and taken his role in finishing for GT. Wow Shankar brilliant Hitting and he's so consistent this season.
