In the 39th match of the Indian Premier League 2023, Gujarat Titans faced Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Riding on Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz's amazing half-century and a fiery knock from Andre Russell KKR posted a competitive total of 179/7 in 20 overs.
Earlier, after winning the Toss GT skipper Hardik Pandya opted to bowl first on the batting-friendly track. His decision went well with the visitors as KKR were crumbling after being four down for 88 runs in 10.4 overs. Opener N Jagadeeshan scored 19 runs off 15 balls with the help of four boundaries before getting dismissed by Mohammed Shami.
After his dismissal, KKR took a gamble as they sent Shardul Thakur at number three. Their decision didn't go well as Shardul was dismissed by Shami for a duck. Skipper Nitish Rana, Sunil Naraine, and Rinku Singh also failed to impress as they were dismissed in cheap.
In the end, Andre Russell along with Gurbaz took KKR to a respectable total. Russell in his innings scored 34 runs off 19 balls with the help of three sixes and two boundaries. Meanwhile, Gurbaz in his innings scored 81 runs off 39 balls with the help of seven sixes and five boundaries.
GT pacers shined as Rashid Khan was thrashed by KKR
Speaking about bowling performances Star spinner Rashid Khan had a very poor day in the office. As he was hammered by all KKR batters and went without a wicket. He has hammered 54 runs in four overs and sent wicketless to the dugout. Apart from him, GT pacers helped the team to stop the run flow.
Star India pacer Mohammed Shami clinched three wickets while Joshua Little and Noor Ahmed clinched two wickets each. Skipper Hardik Pandya and Mohit Sharma went wicketless. Notably, this is the second time in the ongoing season that GT faced KKR. In the first game, Rinku Singh's heroics helped KKR to clinch an unbelievable victory.
Here is how fans react to KKR's batting:
Andre Russell
— jetha hi🏆ler 🐦 (@sterns_haschen) April 29, 2023
Just said he is not happy with the score kkr kept on board pic.twitter.com/2nNzoEil0D
Gurbaz was Top class. Russell good in patches. Other than them all KKR batsmen ate ball in lunch. It is 200+ pitch. KKR bowler have to ball out of their skin to defend this Target.
— Barkha Joshi (@bindasbarkha) April 29, 2023
I close my eyes and talk to God, Peace in my head, I'm singing this song, and it goes like pic.twitter.com/v3JU8UwSm6
— स्वप्निल (@Swapnil113goat) April 29, 2023
Not going to be enough I'm afraid. Although this wicket is not a belter like previous games. KKR must bowl very very well to win. Narine needs to be his old self. Otherwise he may have to give way to Roy. It will be a crime not to play both the red hot openers together.
— MrRoy (@newguy12121) April 29, 2023
Yesterda Arshdeep-54 Runs
— Guri Pbks (@Guri_Pbks) April 29, 2023
Today Rashid Khan- 54 Runs Bad 😔 Days
KKR will feel they are 20 runs short the kind of batting line-up they have they should score 200+ batting first
— Saurav Kumar (@champ_srv05) April 29, 2023
A day to forget for Rashid Khan. It is his 100th IPL match and he conceded 54 runs in 4 overs and could not take any wicket. On the other hand, Gurbaz making a comeback scores 81 runs off 39 balls with a strike rate of 207.
— Sports.world (@moiz_sports) April 29, 2023
Kkhaar 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Rohan 🌚 (@ULTRASAVAGER) April 29, 2023
Amazing bowling by GT
— Reingxx (@Ayush90638218) April 29, 2023
Noor and Little 🔥
Still feels like 15 runs short, couldn't capitalize on the start by gurbaaz
— ▄︻̷̿┻̿═━一 (@NO_VIS0R) April 29, 2023