Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) young sensation Shubman Gill produced Man of the Match performance in his side’s thumping 7-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) the PCA stadium in Mohali on Friday. The win ensured that the Knight Riders’ playoffs hopes remain alive while the defeat has knocked Punjab out of the ongoing IPL.
Chasing 184 to win, the 19-year-old Gill showed his range on his ‘home turf’ with an attractive 65 not out off 49 balls, anchoring the chase after Chris Lynn (46 off 22 balls) set the pace with some big hits in the Powerplay overs.
Not only did KKR reached the target in 18 overs but they also improved the net run-rate as they now have 12 points with a must-win away game against Mumbai Indians left.
Earlier, youngsters Sam Curran and Nicholas Pooran displayed belligerence as KXIP posted a respectable 183 for 6 on the scoreboard after being put into bat.
While West Indies’ Pooran smashed 48 off 27 balls to give the innings initial impetus as he added 69 runs for the third wicket with Mayank Agarwal (36 off 26 balls), England all-rounder Curran walloped KKR bowlers to smash an unbeaten 55 off 24 balls.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Liked the way @RealShubmanGill is batting with maturity! Great to see a young gun learning quickly ,great signs for Indian cricket in the coming years , I guess credit to @ipl for creating opportunities for young talent @StarSportsIndia
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 3, 2019
Think we will be talking about @RealShubmanGill for many many years …. Love the way he plays ….. #IPL2019
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 3, 2019
Loved the innings from @RealShubmanGill and the most important thing apart from the elegance and maturity that he displayed was that he was there till the end, wonderful signs for future of Indian Cricket #KXIPvKKR
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 3, 2019
Shubman Gill….future of Indian batting is in very exciting hands. Now, take the team home….make it a habit. ☺️🤗🏏 #KXIPvKKR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 3, 2019
Emphatic, easy win for #KKR. And many positives too, none more than the composure of Shubman Gill. He is talented, true, but it is his composure that will take him far
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 3, 2019
Well done @KKRiders & @DineshKarthik . All played like u should…by backing urselves. @lynny50 #SWarrier @RealShubmanGill good job. But tonite belongs to Papa! 3 cheers for proud papa & family. pic.twitter.com/KDlvVWmnYT
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) May 3, 2019
So happy that @KKRiders are allowing Shubman Gill to play his role at the top of the innings. 3 fifties in 4 innings opening the batting. Even more moving is that his mom has travelled to watch her son. She must be proud of the man he is growing into👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 to the Gill family.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) May 3, 2019
Another fine win. Lot of character shown by #TeamKKR to put in a fine effort in another must win game. Our #GameChangers today @RealShubmanGill @lynny50 & #SandeepWarrier. @KKRiders
— Venky Mysore (@VenkyMysore) May 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1124364418534367232
Well played @KKRiders and well done @iamsrk
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 3, 2019
Big match winner what a knock @RealShubmanGill bro next superstar ⭐️😊👏👏👏👏✌️ @IPL @KKRiders @StarSportsIndia
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) May 3, 2019
Sirf abhi hi nahi aage or bhi jyada ye naam baar baar sun ne milega #ShubmanGill
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 3, 2019
Like the way @RealShubmanGill Great to see u young gun 💪🏻💪🏻
— Manpreet Gony (@imMsgony) May 3, 2019
KKR home in a canter, but victory was more difficult than appeared. Punjab perhaps a bowler short, yet nothing to take away from batting if Gill (particularly), Lynn, Russell and Karthik
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 3, 2019
A happy Punjab homecoming for @RealShubmanGill who clicks an #IPLSelfie with his family after a Man of the Match performance for the @KKRiders 💜#KXIPvKKR pic.twitter.com/WQdGcTKTxV
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2019
