Gujarat Titans (GT) registered a seven-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 39 of the IPL 2023 at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (April 29).
Chasing 180 to win, GT needed 68 runs in the final six overs of the match and KKR were in with a chance to beat the defending champions for the second time this season.
However, Vijay Shankar (51* off 24) and David Miller (32* off 18) took the KKR bowling attack to the cleaners in the slog overs to take GT over the line with 13 deliveries to spare.
During the chase, KKR spinner Suyash Sharma committed a fielding blunder, which might have cost them the game in the end.
The hosts had a chance to dismiss Miller in the 16th over as Miller top edged a delivery from Andre Russell. Suyash, who was placed at the third-man region, sprinted in and kept his eyes on the ball but failed to get his hands to it.
It was a massive let off, which left Russell furious and skipper Nitish Rana in disbelief.
Here’s the video:
"I think we were 20-25 runs short. If we keep dropping catches against big teams, I do not think the result will be any different," KKR captain Rana said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
It was KKR’s sixth defeat in nine games this season. They are currently occupying the seventh spot on the points table featuring 10 teams.