Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan and Vijay Shankar smash half centuries against Kolkata Knight Riders
On Sunday, the Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Gujarat Titans by three wickets in a match of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gujarat Titans top-order batter Sai Sudharsan and Vijay Shankar played outstanding innings, leading their team to a total of 204 for four.
Sudharsan scored 53 runs off 38 balls, while Shankar scored an unbeaten 63 runs off just 24 balls, including four boundaries and five sixes.
Sai Sudarshan, Vijay Shankar smash fifties
The partnership between Sudharsan and Shubman Gill laid the foundation for a big score, and when Gill was dismissed for 39, Shankar took over to score quick runs.
His knock was reminiscent of his performances in limited-overs cricket in 2019, which led to his selection for the World Cup that year. He was never recalled after suffering an injury, but his recent innings in the IPL proves his talent and skill.
Sudharsan and Gill’s partnership keeps scoreboard ticking
The maturity shown by Sudharsan and Gill after Wriddhiman Saha was dismissed early was commendable. They shared a 67-run partnership, keeping the scoreboard ticking by taking singles and rotating the strike. Gill’s dismissal was a blow, but Abhinav Manohar scored a quick 14 off just eight deliveries before being dismissed by Suyash Sharma.
The Gujarat Titans got off to a slow start, with Umesh Yadav and Lockie Ferguson extracting good pace and bounce. While the batters adapted quickly to Ferguson’s pace, scoring against him was difficult.
But Shankar’s arrival changed the game as he scored runs at an astronomical strike rate of 262.50. He took on Lockie Ferguson in the penultimate over, hitting him for two boundaries and two sixes, and then ended GT’s innings with three consecutive sixes off Shardul Thakur. Shankar alone contributed 41 of the 45 runs scored in the final two overs.
Shankar’s clean hitting takes KKR attack to the cleaners
Former India coach Ravi Shastri praised Shankar’s talent and hard work. He was glad to see Shankar making a strong comeback after setbacks in his professional career.
Shankar’s knock was a display of clean hitting, showcasing his wide range of shots and reach, allowing him to hit the ball a long way. The Gujarat Titans have some power hitters in their lineup, making them a formidable team. Overall, the match was a display of exceptional cricket by both teams.
