The 13th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 saw defending champions Gujarat Titans take on the two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, April 9.
Winning the toss, stand-in skipper Rashid Khan chose to bat first. Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill got off to a good start in the first innings. However, it was the fifth over of the game where Kolkata Knight Riders got the first and crucial breakthrough and Saha was sent back to the pavilion.
Veteran Windies spinner Sunil Narine came in to bowl his first over of the match, and that is when he dismissed Saha. The veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for 17 runs, and it was Narayan Jagadeesan who took a sensational catch as Kolkata struck early. Saha tried to sweep Narine’s delivery but failed to do so as the ball went sky high. Jagadeesan chased it and took the catch over his shoulders after a fantastic dive.
Gujarat look to comeback from early dismissals
Following Saha’s dismissal, it fell onto 23-year-old Shubman Gill’s shoulders to help Gujarat make a comeback. Gill looked to take the attack to the opposition but he too fell prey to Sunil Narine and was sent back to the pavilion after amassing 39 runs in the game.
Kolkata got off to a rocky start in the ongoing tournament, having won one match and lost one so far. Following the dismissals of both openers, the two-time champions will be keen on capitalising on their momentum. The Nitish Rana-led side would be keen on improving upon their performances and registering their second win of the season.
However, it is not going to be an easy task, as Gujarat Titans are currently unbeaten in the IPL 2023. Led by Rashid Khan against Kolkata, the 2022 champions will look to register another victory and maintain their winning streak.