IPL 10, Match 47, KXIP vs GL – Gujarat Lions Player Ratings

Gujarat Lions were down and out ahead of the game as they were knocked out of the tournament in their last season in the IPL. Kings XI Punjab had to win to stay in the hunt for fourth place and they did themselves no good today. A lackluster fielding and bowling performance after a magnificent century from Hashim Amla might have just ended the hopes of Kings XI Punjab.

Gujarat were the party poopers today as they did not let the big total bury them that easily. They maintained their calm and were positive throughout the game even after a masterclass from the South African legend. Amla scored 104 of 60 balls which ended in a defeat just like his previous century.

Gujarat were made to chase 190 and they did it with 2 balls to spare thanks to Dwayne Smith and Ishan Kishan for a fabulous start. The whole Gujarat team barring some individuals were at their best today. Let us see how each one is rated after a good win over KXIP.

1. Dwayne Smith – 9/10

Smith probably gave away the game against RPS some nights ago but today he was at his scintillating best. Dwayne revisited his CSK days as he smashed the bowlers in all directions to give GL a solid start. Smith scored 74 runs off just 37 balls hitting at a strike rate of 189. He hit 8 boundaries and 4 sixes while scoring those runs as he helped his team win.

2. Ishan Kishan – 6/10

Ishan Kishan actually played well with Smith but couldn’t really get going as his partner was going at it hammers and tongs at the other end. Kishan was playing second fiddle to Smith but couldn’t score some runs himself. He managed a scrappy and lucky 29 of 24 balls hitting 3 boundaries in the process. Kishan has a lot to learn as he is young and raw and definitely on for the future.

3. Suresh Raina – 7/10

When Raina came into bat Lions were going at the rate of 10 runs per over. He had no reason to go and play an explosive inning and so he did his job calmly and quietly. He let the required run rate creep up a bit but in the end, his teammate tipped them over. Raina scored an important 39 from 25 balls as he did not let wickets tumble at a crucial time.

4. Dinesh Karthik – 7.5/10

Karthik had a decent first class season as he scored loads of runs. However, he found it difficult to translate his form in the IPL. He has scored some runs here and there but consistency has evaded him this season. Karthik, however, won the game for GL. He scored some crucial boundaries in the penultimate over to make it easy in the last over. Karthik scored 35 of 23 balls helping his team get past the total of KXIP.

5. Aaron Finch – 3/10

Finch played an absolute blinder the other day but failed today. He scored just 2 runs off as many balls as he nicked one back to the keeper leaving the job to finish the game in the hands of Karthik. Karthik finished the game but his wicket could have cost the game some other night. Anyhow, Finch had a day to forget.

6. Ravindra Jadeja – 5/10

Jadeja has been a shadow of himself since coming into the IPL. But he has managed a performance or two with the ball and in the field. Seldom he gets the chance to shine as a batter but today he did his job well how much ever small it was. Jadeja scored 7 runs in 6 balls as he came into bat in the third last over of the game. He also bowled 2 fruitless overs giving away 19 runs.

7. James Faulkner – 3/10

Faulkner had a nightmare today with the ball. He leaked runs today and was not much of a help. The Australian fast bowler had a bad day at the office as he gave away 43 runs from his four overs without any wicket. He was taken apart by the classy Amla and there is little you can do when someone like that is on a song.

8. Dhawal Kulkarni – 6.5/10

Amidst some poor bowling and classy batting, Kulkarni bowled extremely well. Kulkarni was right on the money with the new ball and was good in the death overs as well. He bowled 4 overs and gave away just 24 runs at an economy rate of 6 runs per over. He also picked up a wicket of dangerous Marsh breaking century run stand.

9. Pradeep Sangwan – 5/10

Sangwan gave away a lot of runs but took an all-important wicket of Martin Guptill up front. He sent back the danger man in the first over itself. Otherwise, his bowling was pretty ordinary as he gave away 28 runs in his 3 overs at an economy rate of 9.33.

10. Basil Thampi – 3/10

Thampi is one of the finds of the tournament for India. He has been exceptional for Gujarat and has bowled extremely well. However, today was not his day as he gave away runs at an economy of 12 runs per over. He picked up the wicket of Hashim Amla but the damage was already done. He bowled 4 overs and was accounted for 48 runs picking up just the one wicket.

11. Ankit Soni – 4/10

Soni was added to the squad out of nowhere by Gujarat Lions. Looking at the amount of success the wrist spinners are getting Lions roped in an unknown face. He delivered in the first 1 or 2 games but has not been among the wicket takers. Even today he gave away 27 runs in his 3 overs which was not helpful at all.