Kolkata Knight Riders’ opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz had a great comeback in the team in the ongoing game against Gujarat Titans. Last year, he was picked by the defending champions, Titans but didn’t get a game. The team decided to trade him as their opening pair was pretty much settled. Meanwhile, in the ongoing IPL 2023, Gurbaz was dropped a few games ago due to his poor form.
However, ahead of the ongoing game, Jason Roy, his replacement, got injured. The latter had a niggle which is why the team wasn’t ready to take any chances. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan international didn’t throw away his chance this time around. In the powerplay, the ball was swinging and he played only two balls in the first two overs, with Narayan Jagadeesan taking on the bowling.
However, the latter was trapped lbw by Mohammed Shami after scoring 19 runs. In the fourth over, Gurbaz got going as he hit two sixes against his former captain, Hardik Pandya. The right-hander also took one Shami with a six and a four.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz took on Rashid Khan too
Gurbaz’s Afghanistan teammate Rashid Khan had a poor game with the ball. It all started with a four and six against Gurbaz. Despite Venkatesh Iyer struggling with the bat at the other end, Gurbaz got his maiden IPL in 27 balls in the ninth over. In the 11th over, the Purple Brigade lost the wicket of Iyer and skipper Nitish Rana to Josh Little.
Despite this, Gurbaz hit a six each in the 12th, 13th, and 14th overs respectively. Till the end of 15 overs, the 2022 IPL winner reached 81 after hitting a four and a six against Khan. However, the former failed to time the full toss against Noor Ahmed and was caught at the boundary by Khan. With this, Gurbaz missed out on his maiden IPL century. Meanwhile, thanks to his innings, the two-time winners reached 179/7 at the end of the innings.
This is how Twitter reacted
81 off just 39 balls for Rahmanullah Gurbaz ?
He took Rashid Khan to the cleaners, 3 overs for 40 runs for him. He has now been dismissed by another countryman of his, Noor Ahmed. But what an innings ? #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/FTn5ilB8qX
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 29, 2023
What a crazy innings by Rahmanullah Gurbaz!
81 in just 39 balls with 5 fours and 7 sixes. Took Rashid Khan to the cleaners today, unbelievable striking. Well played, Gurbaz. pic.twitter.com/NK4LEeQVhm
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 29, 2023
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was part of Gujarat last year, didn't get a single game and he scored 81 off just 39 balls today against Gujarat for Kolkata.
We have seen many examples similar to this in the IPL history. pic.twitter.com/XjUZ84RDL6
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) April 29, 2023
This is an impressive innings by Rahmanullah Gurbaz. He scored 81 runs in just 39 balls, 5 fours and 7 sixes. He doesn't show mercy on even Rashid Khan today. Missed his century by 19 run. Still pretty amazing inning by him.??#KKRvGT #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/RGLOmAXPFH
— Asheesh (@Asheesh00007) April 29, 2023
21-year old Rahmanullah Gurbaz in IPL:
•22(16), 57(44), 15(12), 0(3), 8(12), 81(39).
•His strike rate 145.3 in this IPL.
•First AFG player to hit fifty.
•First AFG player to hit 2 fifty.
•Most runs in an IPL season by AFG.
•Highest score by AFG player.Incredible, Gurbaz! pic.twitter.com/yhhIZpj7kr
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) April 29, 2023
Rahmanullah Gurbaz proves why he's in IPL! Wondeful fifty! He's quite the aggressor.#KKRvGT
— Gargi Raut (@gargiraut15) April 29, 2023
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is showing GT what exactly they missed by backing Wade over him. Good to see him doing so well..always rated him highly. ?
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) April 29, 2023
You can't say this for many batters but Rahmanullah Gurbaz has won the battle against Rashid Khan.
Infact, he has bossed GT bowling today.
Playing a blinder at Eden Gardens for KKR. pic.twitter.com/FhxlR1lRv8
— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) April 29, 2023
Rahmanullah Gurbaz with longer validity is treat to watch ??
Well Played Gurbaz? pic.twitter.com/jKfzt0VvUm
— KKR Bhakt ?? ™ (@KKRSince2011) April 29, 2023
Always nice being around with the best of all time @msdhoni ?? pic.twitter.com/jsWthfM26V
— Rahmanullah Gurbaz (@RGurbaz_21) April 24, 2023
