The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) travel to Ahmedabad to take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) for what will be the third game for both franchises this season. For GT, it has been the perfect start so far, with two wins out of two. After an initial setback against Punjab, KKR produced one of the most commanding wins of this season’s IPL against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on their return to the Eden Gardens.
The two franchises have only met once before, in a contest that took place at the D.Y. Patil Stadium last season, with GT prevailing narrowly. Historically, KKR struggled against GT’s unofficial predecessors, winning just one out of four matches against the erstwhile Gujarat Lions between 2016 and 2017.
Before KKR and GT renew their rivalry in 2023, My Kolkata would like to refresh your memories by revisiting three key moments from the KKR-GT encounter from 2022.
Pandya sets the tone for GT
Hardik Pandya laid the foundation for GT’s win against KKR in 2022
TT archivesBatting first on a somewhat tricky wicket, GT lost former Knight, Shubman Gill, early. This brought skipper Hardik Pandya to the crease, who took his time to get his eye in, before releasing his repertoire of shots. Having spent almost an hour and a half at the crease, Pandya stroked his way to 67 off 49, steering Gujarat to a fighting total of 156. To illustrate how much of a one-man show this was, GT’s next topscorer on the night was David Miller with 27.
Southee in full swing for KKR
Tim Southee’s three wickets were critical to restricting GT in Mumbai
TT archivesTaking full advantage of the nip in the air and off the pitch, Tim Southee produced one of his best performances in purple and gold against GT. His figures of three for 24 in four overs included 11 dot balls as well as the crucial breakthroughs of Gill, Pandya and Rashid Khan. Perversely enough for Southee, his spell was not even the most productive one for KKR on the night, as a freakish last over of the GT innings saw Andre Russell give away five runs and pick up four wickets to clean up the tail.
Russell and Rinku rally, but to no avail
GT met with and saw off the Andre Russell show last year
TT archivesChasing 157, KKR found themselves in a spot of bother at four down for just 34. Rinku Singh steadied the ship somewhat with a watchful 35, before his dismissal meant that it was all down to Russell once more. As usual, the West Indian maverick pulled a few sixes (six to be precise) out of the bag, en route to a breathtaking 25-ball 48. But once Russell was out, caught off his compatriot Alzarri Joseph, it was game over for KKR, who eventually lost by eight runs.
