Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday stumbled to a seven-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens as Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s thunderous 81 went in vain. While Gurbaz lit up the Eden Gardens for KKR in the first innings, Vijay Shankar dealt the finishing blows as Gujarat Titans, the defending champions, went back to the top of the IPL 2023 standings with their sixth win in eight games.
Gurbaz lights up Kolkata
Gurbaz marked his return to the KKR XI with a scintillating 81-run knock off just 39 deliveries, smoking seven sixes and five fours. Gurbaz’s strength has always been his leg-side game but some of the off-side strokes on show were impressive. Taking advantage of Jason Roy’s absence with a back issue, Gurbaz took the Gujarat bowlers to the cleaners from the word go. Though he didn’t get enough support from the other top-order batters, he piloted the innings for 15 overs. The way he took down Rashid Khan, his national captain, was a rare sight. Not everyday does a batter smash Rashid for 30 runs in 11 balls. Striking at 207.69, Gurbaz not only kept the Eden Gardens entertained but his team afloat in the game.
Rare off day for Rashid
It is a rare occasion when Rashid concedes more than 50 runs in a Twenty20 game. Today was one. Rashid’s figures of 0-54 were his second-most expensive spell in IPL and T20s overall. He looked clueless against Gurbaz, while also falling prey to Andre Russell’s swinging willow. With the match being Rashid’s 100th in the IPL, it was a forgettable afternoon with the ball Titans’ vice-captain.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz – The Afghan Eagle Soars
Noor shines through
Noor Ahmad continued his impressive season as he ended with a brace while conceding just 21 runs in his four-over quota. Though Rashid was taken apart, Ahmad executed his deliveries to perfection. He mixed his variations impeccably, keeping the KKR batters guessing. He dismissed the duo of Gurbaz and Rinku Singh to put the brakes on KKR’s finish.
Shami’s homecoming
Mohammed Shami made perfect use of the conditions at his home ground to script a perfect homecoming. Playing at the Eden Gardens where he started his dream of becoming a professional player, Shami marked his return with three wickets while conceding 33 runs in his four overs. Shami removed Narayan Jagadeesan, the opener, and Shardul Thakur, promoted to No.3, to provide an early jolt to the hosts. With Shami continuing his spectacular record in the powerplay, he remains a potent weapon for Gujarat in their title defense.
Shankar-Miller seal the deal
Shubman Gill started the chase in stylish fashion, cracking some breathtaking drives and pulls against the new ball. While Gill started it with his 35-ball 49, Shankar along with David Miller took Gujarat over the finishing line. Shankar’s brutal assault against Varun Chakaravarthy in the 17th over will long be remembered at Eden Gardens. Those three sixes and a four in that over displayed Shankar’s growing confidence in the role he has been playing for Gujarat over the last two seasons. He completed his half-century in 24 deliveries and got stupendous support from Miller from the other end. Miller smashed two sixes and as many fours in his unbeaten 18-ball 32 to drive Gujarat home.