The road to the playoffs seems to be getting trickier for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Saturday’s seven-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans has left them with a near improbable task of winning all their next five matches, a feat they achieved only during their title run in 2014.
None could have envisaged their fate more than Andre Russell who said at the innings break that they were short by at least 20 runs. The defending champions overhauled their target of 180 with 13 balls left, displaying perfect application and professionalism.
Titans opener Shubman Gill during his 49-run knock. Sanat Kumar Sinha
The quick dismissals of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill rekindled KKR’s hopes of making a comeback in the middle overs but Vijay Shankar and David Miller showed them the door with an unbroken 87-run partnership. With 51 needed off the last five overs, Miller led the charge before Vijay unleashed a flurry of sixes that singed the Knights’ challenge.
This has been a defining season for Vijay. The “3-D cricketer” was almost a forgotten man since the 2019 World Cup but he has worked hard to remodel his game since an injury-induced layoff. His 51 not out off 24 balls gave little chance to the bowlers. Even the normally disciplined Suyash Sharma struggled.
Noor Ahmad celebrates after taking one of his two wickets, at Eden Gardens on Saturday. Sanat Kumar Sinha
The Knights had to leave out Jason Roy and Umesh Yadav because of back spasms and a hamstring strain, respectively. But Rahmanullah Gurbaz made up for Roy’s absence with an attacking display that saw the home team knocking off 62 runs in the Powerplay overs, 39 of which came from his blade.
He was particularly severe on Rashid Khan. He played his fellow Afghan spinner with more confidence and assurance than perhaps any other batter in recent memory.
Birthday Knight Andre Russell during his 19-ball 34 at the end of KKR’s innings on Saturday. Sanat Kumar Sinha
Gurbaz began by taking 14 in Rashid’s first over before adding another 16. This included three sixes off Rashid. It was only the second time in the IPL that Rashid has given away 50-plus runs in his spell.
KKR failed to build on their momentum once they lost Venkatesh Iyer and captain Nitish Rana in the 11th over. As Rinku Singh struggled against Noor Ahmad, the Titans clawed back. Gurbaz’s departure for 81 off 39 balls also proved to be a setback.
Promoting Andre Russell would have been wiser in the circumstances because of Rinku’s poor strike rate against the spinners. Rinku took 20 balls for his 19 before falling to Noor.
The team management always portrayed Russell as a finisher and refused to promote him leading to much debate. The birthday boy was the only other batter in their ranks who showed intent, besides Gurbaz, during his 34 off 19. Had he arrived before the 16th over, KKR could have been better placed. Still he managed to add 45 runs in the last five overs.
Harshit Rana and Sunil Narine were held back for the last two overs but the Titans didn’t let it go so far.
