IPL 2023: Cricket fraternity reacts as Gujarat Titans thumps Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets in return match

Mohammad Shami and Vijay Shankar shined for GT.

By Jatin Sharma - 29 Apr, 2023

The 39th match of the IPL 2023 saw Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hosting the Gujarat Titans (GT) in a return match of the tournament at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Hardik Pandya, the GT captain won the toss and chose to bowl first keeping in mind the overcast conditions and the possibility of rain later on. He also said that GT was playing with the same combination.

KKR, on the other hand, had two changes as Rahmanullah Gurbaz replaced Jason Roy, who suffered a back niggle, and Harshit Rana came in for Umesh Yadav, who tweaked his hamstring. The match started after a delay due to a wet outfield. 

KKR was powered by Rahmanullah Gurbaz who smacked 81 in 39 balls with 5 fours and 7 sixes to his name. Birthday boy Andre Russell contributed 34 as KKR posted 179/7 in 20 overs.

For GT, Mohammad Shami picked 3/33 while Josh Little and Noor Ahmad picked two wickets apiece.

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In reply, Shubman Gill steadied the ship for GT with 49 in 35 balls. But KKR bowlers took wickets at intervals to hurt them in the middle of their innings with Hardik Pandya falling for 26 in 20 balls.

But then Vijay Shankar, who made 51* in 24 balls with 5 sixes and 2 fours, and David Miller, who made 32* in 18 balls with 2 sixes and 2 fours, added 87* runs for the fourth wicket and took GT home in 17.5 overs.

With this win, GT topped the table with 12 points from 6 wins in 8 matches, while KKR slipped to 7th place with 3 wins from 9 matches.

The cricket fraternity reacted to GT’s win with praises for the team and the performances of its players.

Here are the tweets:

 

By Jatin Sharma - 29 Apr, 2023

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