Gujarat Titans (GT) climbed to the top spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 points table after beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 7 wickets at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, April 29. The defending champions proved once again that they are indomitable when chasing, as Vijay Shankar and David Miller chased down a highly competitive total of 180 with 13 balls to spare.
GT lost Wriddhiman Saha early on, but Shubman Gill and skipper Hardik Pandya put on a brilliant 50-run partnership, ensuring a good platform for the visitors. At one point, it appeared as if the duo would finish the game, with Gill hammering the KKR bowlers all around the park. However, KKR responded with two quick wickets, dismissing Pandya and Gill in successive overs.
After that, Vijay Shankar and David Miller took over the responsibility to finish things off. It took some time for the two to settle down, but once they got on track, KKR slowly began to lose hope of winning the game. Miller began the slaughter in the 15th over by hitting Suyash Sharma for back-to-back sixes.
Shankar also joined the party, switching gears at the right time and hammering mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy for three sixes in the 17th over to complete a 24-ball fifty. The duo made the chase look so simple as they won with more than two overs to spare and handed KKR another defeat.
Earlier, KKR, who were asked to bat first, got off to a good start despite losing the wicket of N Jagadeesan in the third over. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, in for Jason Roy, played a blinder at top order, scoring 81 runs off 39 balls. Their middle-order failed to mark their presence, but a 19-ball fifty from Andre Russell took them to a commendable total.
KKR should have scored at least 10 runs, but wickets fell at regular intervals and a brilliant death-over bowling by GT, reduced them to 179. Rashid Khan and Pandya were expensive, but spinner Noor Ahmed and GT Pacers, especially Joshua Little, were outstanding for the hosts.
Here’s how fans reacted to GT’s thumping victory:
VijayShankar ? pic.twitter.com/l6SCxkuTi5
— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952) April 29, 2023
In wc years he is dangerous player
— Harshvardhan Khopade (@Harshva57308707) April 29, 2023
Bc what a team it is ??
— ??????? (@Im_Sanjuuu) April 29, 2023
3d player in WC year ?
— Shreyas ?? (@Shreyas_M18) April 29, 2023
"Teams are struggling in chasing."
GT: No problem, we'll get this issue resolved on style.
— AHMAD AHMAD (@ahmadahmad28191) April 29, 2023
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.
— Viru Jain?? (@cricaddict_18) April 29, 2023
3D player how can Gt win with such a team. Everything thing is fixed I swear
— King (@King56692974) April 29, 2023
Always perform in world Cup year ??
— Rahul kant ravi ?? (@im_rahul21) April 29, 2023
Already has bigger legacy in IPL than whole haaRCB
— Akash (@RoAK_45) April 29, 2023
Gt, lsg confrim now
— Abhinand achuzz (@ravisha47243966) April 29, 2023
