IPL 2021: Shubman Gill's 56 helps KKR post 171 against RR

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener Shubman Gill showcased his prowess while representing the franchise in Match 54 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Gill smashed 56 runs off 44 deliveries, in an innings comprising of four boundaries and two sixes. The opener’s innings provided a fine platform for the other batsmen which includes Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi to go out and express themselves. Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik provided a fine finish to proceedings, helping the Kolkata-based franchise post a total of 171 runs for the loss of four wickets.

“I think not losing wickets upfront was key. The pitch was double paced and we are very happy with the total we have now. The key is accuracy in whatever lengths we bowl. Good length balls are difficult to play on this pitch. We are treating this like just another match that we need to win. The atmosphere is the same,” stated Venkatesh as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Chris Morris, Chetan Sakariya, Rahul Tewatia and Glenn Phillips were the pick of the bowlers for RR, accounting for a dismissal apiece. The Rajasthan-based franchise needs to chase down the target of 172 runs in nine overs, to help defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) surpass the Kolkata-based franchise in the NRR.

Sanju Samson opts to field after winning the toss

RR skipper Sanju Samson opted to field after winning the toss. Samson termed this decision on his assumption that it would be easier to bowl on the wicket.

“We’ll bowl first. With the past matches, it has been easier to bowl first on this wicket. I think there have been a lot of learnings in the last game. The bounce was varying and it was two-paced. We need to be smarter with our shots and we need to bowl good lines and lengths too. Four changes: Livingstone, Morris, Anuj Rawat and Unadkat come in,” stated the RR skipper.

Morgan admitted that he would have liked to bowl as well.

“Would have obviously liked to bowl first. We put in a strong performance on a slowish wicket in Dubai, and we need to just put a good score here. Just because of the confidence within the group, we needn’t look too far ahead. If we win here, those two points will take care of everything. Obviously these two points are more important than the earlier points that we have played for. [Message to Morgan the batsman] Try to free yourself up, and try and play to win for the team. Lockie Ferguson is fit and he comes back in for Tim Southee. When we have the kind of depth and Tim comes and performs, it helps, but Lockie with his pace will come good on this wicket,” said Morgan.

Lineups:

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson(w/c), Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Rahul Tewatia, Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakaravarthy.