IPL 10, Match 23, KKR vs GL: CT player of the match - Suresh Raina

Gujarat Lions(GL) have not been up to the mark this season. They have faced a lot of problems with the ball this year as some of their stars players were out for the first few games. While Kolkata Knight Riders have been doing extremely well in all departments of the game. However, today was a different story altogether. Suresh Raina and co were up for the task today and showed grit and determination to win the game.

Lions had to face two defeats in as many games and were coming into this game with little confidence. Despite the team’s poor form, Gujarat had some individuals who were in good form. Suresh Raina is certainly one of them as he smashed a stunning half-century to take his team home. Chasing 188 was hard against such a bowling lineup but they made it with ease, courtesy; Suresh Raina’s 88 run knock.

For this splendid innings, Raina is CricTracker’s player of the match.

Came in at a crucial time.

Gujarat tweaked a bit with their batting lineup as Finch opened the batting instead of Smith and it worked out okay for them as they got off to a flier. But Finch was dismissed as Coulter-Nile deceived him with a slower one. Lions were 42 when Finch lost his wickets and Raina came in to bat. It was important to maintain the run-rate and not lose wickets in the process. Raina did exactly that. He gave McCullum the strike as he took the initiative.

Played himself in and set himself for a big score.  

Raina is a batsman who has always chipped in with performances at crucial times. Today was one of those performances. When Finch lost his wicket it was important Lions don’t lose another and Raina made sure they didn’t. He played it in singles and doubles at the start of his innings as he was just scored 11 runs in his first 10 balls. He made up for these dot balls later on the in the innings when he counter-attacked the opposition.

Stayed firm at the crease.

Raina looked comfortable while chasing this huge total and was banking on the start they got. But, Gujarat kept on losing wickets at the other end. First, they lost Brendon McCullum right after the delay due to rain and then Ishan Kishan was sent packing and Dwayne Smith also followed soon. This did not affect Suresh Raina as he countered the opposition with some fireworks. With Jadeja as his partner, Raina smashed a magnificent half century of just 32 deliveries.

Rode his team to victory.

Just when it looked a little bit glum for the visiting side, Raina took the matter into his own hands as he smashed 84 of just 46 deliveries hitting 9 boundaries and four sixes in the process. All those runs came thick and fast towards the end as Raina made sure the required run rate stayed within reach. And while doing so, he confirmed their victory before getting out in an attempt to finish the game. But it was only a matter time as Jadeja grabbed the honours of hitting the winning runs.

For this magnificent innings of 84, Raina is our superstar of the day and gets a rating of 4.5 out of 5 and is our player of the match.