KKR racked up a mammoth score of 247/2 and restricted GT to 218/4.
Put into bat, KKR racked up a mammoth score of 247/2 in 20 overs. Opener Finn Allen smashed a stunning 93 off 35, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hammered 82* off 44 and Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 28-ball 52.
In the run chase, Shubman Gill led from the front as he scored 85 off 49 balls and Jos Buttler (57 off 35), Sai Sudharsan (53* off 28) also contributed half-centuries, but GT ultimately finished at 218/4.
Speaking after the game, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane praised his batters for dominant show while stressing the importance of keeping things simple.
“Very good game. Really happy with two points. Tired - it was humid inside, but really happy. The way we started with the bat, losing the toss and then put into bat. Amazing to see Finn Allen, Angkrish and Cameron Green's knocks. That partnership. That intent. And every single time putting quality bowlers under pressure. It was amazing. So credit goes to these batters,” Rahane said at the post-match presentation.
“Preparation always has been fantastic. I mean, the guys have been preparing really well. The talk was all about taking one game at a time. We know the scenario where we stand at the moment. So it's simple. And as I said earlier, that cricket is a game. When you keep it really simple, don't make it complicated, it works the most for you,” he added.
Rahane specifically highlighted domestic circuit performance as the backbone of their bowling strategy. Young pacers Saurabh Dubey and Kartik Tyagi were instrumental in restricting a formidable GT batting lineup on a flat pitch.
“When we were bowling, new guy, Saurabh Dubey has been fantastic. Kartik has been really good. So it was overall, I thought it was a fantastic effort from the bowling unit. It's all about trusting their ability. All these guys have been doing really well in the domestic season. And I always felt whenever you are doing well in the domestic, you carry that confidence forward. And that's what's really helped me as well whenever I was doing well in the domestic. So that's working well for them,” Rahane stated.
“Saurabh Dubey played well in the Vidarbha league. When he came here, all the bowlers and the coaches, they thought, he has the talent and height as well. And he's been working really hard with the bowling coaches. So message from my side is nothing basically. So credit goes to these guys who've been doing really well, working really hard. And it's all about belief. It's all about confidence,” he remarked.
Rahane emphasized how easy his job becomes when he can count on the elite spin duo of Sunil Narine, who was making his 200th IPL appearance and earned Player-of-the-Match award, and Varun Chakaravarthy, who bravely pushed through a sore foot to play.
“Makes my job really easy. When you know Sunil Narine is in your team and Varun was, he was struggling, but still, I mean, credit to him as well. He showed that courage to play this game. He had this sore foot. But when you have Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy in your team, I can't ask for more. I mean, I'm always happy. I can throw the ball any time from any whichever end. And they're always there to deliver. So really happy,” the captain concluded.