In the 35th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Gujarat Titans (GT) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by eight runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
Hardik Pandya won the toss and did the unexpected thing which was to bat first. The innings commenced quite roughly for GT as they lost opener Shubman Gill in the second over itself. Captain Pandya (67), who was making his comeback after resting in the last match, played an amazing knock. He smashed four 4’s and two 6’s to take his team to a respectable score. Even though Hardik was striking well at 136.73, no one really helped him from the other end. In the end contributions from David Miller (27) and Rahul Tewatia (17) took Gujarat to a score of 156/9.
Chasing 157, Kolkata Knight Riders with their new opening pair, struggled in the beginning once again. Both the openers were sent back to the pavilion in just three overs. Captain Shreyas Iyer (12) tried his best to play throughout the inning but got out just after the powerplay. In the end, all hopes were just on Andre Russell (48) who hit one 4 and six 6’s but just wasn’t enough to take KKR over the victory line. They ended up with just 148/8 in their 20 overs.
Gujarat Titans were bold in choosing to defend the score and why not when you have this kind of bowling lineup. Wickets for all five bowlers who bowled today. Two wickets for Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal and Rashid Khan. And one wicket each for Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson.
Tim Southee took three wickets for KKR in his quota of four overs. Along with him Umesh Yadav and Shivam Mavi also got one wicket each. Andre Russell, who just bowled one over in the entire inning and that too in the final one, scalped four wickets.
Rashid Khan was adjudged Man of the Match for his bowling performance. With this win, GT is now once again first on the points table.
Scorecard:
Gujarat Titans: 156/9, Overs 20, Hardik Pandya 67, Andre Russell 4/5
Kolkata Knight Riders: 148/8, Overs 20, Andre Russell 48, Mohammad Shami 2/20