Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) grabbed two crucial points against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match 49 of IPL 2021 to go to 12 points and take the fourth spot on the points table in this race to qualify for the playoffs.

Even though KKR bowlers did a great job of restricting SRH to 115/8 in their 20 overs, the opening batter Shubman Gill hung in there and smashed a gritty 57 (51) to get his side over the line while chasing this small total on a slow Dubai wicket.

“It was important to keep the wickets in hand, and when the balls and runs were closer than just take it easy. It was important to assess the wicket. It wasn't easy to hit the spinners on this wicket,” Gill told the host broadcasters Star Sports.

“I was targeting the shorter side, and the leg-side was shorter than the off-side at one end. When I didn't have many runs under the belt, you don't want the opposition to gain the upper hand,” he added.

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The right-hander then revealed his strategy on this bowing conducive by saying, “When you play on slower wickets, it's more important to play with the wrists and that comes naturally to me. I took on the extra pace (of Umran) today and it came off in this game, but in another game, it might not.”

Opting to bat first, SRH were reduced to 115/8 in their quota of 20 overs owing to a fantastic bowling display by KKR’s Tim Southee, Shivam Mavi, and Varun Chakravarthy as they returned two wickets each.

The brilliant bowling was followed by Shubman Gill’s 57 that ensured SRH couldn't make a comeback into the game and hence the right-hander was adjudged as the Player of the Match.

KKR will now take on Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals in their next match on Thursday (7 October) at Sharjah.

(With Star Sports and ANI Inputs)