Gujarat Titans made up for a poor batting show with a brilliant bowling effort to eke out an eight-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling IPL match here on Saturday.
Batting first, Gujarat Titans scored 156 for 9, riding on skipper Hardik Pandya’s 67 off 49 balls while Andre Russell took 4 for 5 in one over.
In reply, KKR scored 148 for 8 in 20 overs., with Andre Russell scoring a quick 48. GT skipper Pandya notched up his third consecutive half-century after Shubman Gill (7) and Wriddhiman Saha (25) failed to get going against the Kolkata bowling unit at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai. But the momentum shifted in Kolkata’s favour after Hardik fell for 67.
The slump for Gujarat began with Shivam Mavi sending back Miller in the 17th over before Tim Southee dismissed both Hardik and his deputy Rashid Khan in his final over. Tim Southee Finished his spell with three wickets while Andre Russell scalped four in the 20th over to halt Gujarat Titans to 156/9.
He dismissed Abhinav Manohar and Lockie Ferguson in the first two balls of what was his first over in the match before being denied the hat-trick by Alzarri Joseph.
Rahul Tewatia then pulled off a boundary in the fourth ball against the slower and wider delivery, but Russell bounced back to dismiss him and Yash Dayal in the last two balls.
He ended the over with 4 for 5. In the end, the Titans made up for a poor batting show with a brilliant bowling effort to clinch the top spot in points table.
Skipper Pandya, who missed the last game, is back for Gujarat Titans. He replaced all-rounder Vijay Shankar. For KKR, Tim Southee, Sam Billings and Rinku Singh replaced Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins and Sheldon Jackson.
Watch From Here – One Over, 5 Runs, 4 Wickets – Andre Russell Sets This New IPL Record
Brief Scores
Gujarat Titans: 156 for 9 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 67, Andre Russell 4/5).
Kolkata Knight Riders: 148 for 8 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 48, Mohammed Shami 2/20, Rashid Khan 2/22).