Twitter Reactions: Shubhman Gill makes it Knight Riders night against CSK

Chennai Super Kings were outright favourites coming into this contest against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The fact that KKR were playing at home wasn’t considered substantial enough given the kind of form CSK have been in. Dinesh Karthik won the toss and he had the opportunity to ask Chennai to bat first. The move worked well as his bowlers were able to restrict the opposition to an under-par total. Kolkata eventually chased it down with a lot of ease and 6 wickets in hand.

Shane Watson had another good start and so did Faf du Plessis, the Proteas captain once again failed to convert his 27 into anything big and for a change, Watson couldn’t capitalize either. Suresh Raina also took his time and got in, Ambati Rayudu walked in at No.4 for the second time and looked really comfortable.

CSK were scoring runs at a really good chip to start with but wickets in the middle overs triggered by the Kolkata spinners evaporated the momentum. Both Raina and Rayudu got out just when they shouldn’t have, skipper MS Dhoni continued his form but wasn’t at his hitting best. The wicket was a lot slower, the ball was holding onto the surface and shot making wasn’t as easy. Dhoni did manage 45 from 25 having struck four sixes and a boundary but all his team managed was 177/5 in 20 overs.

For KKR to chase any target down, they need the top order to fire. It was all up to Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine. Lynn got out early, Narine tried twice handed the ball straight to Ravindra Jadeja but for a change, he decided to grass them both. Robin Uthappa walked back with a single-digit score and now it was young Shubman Gill out in the middle with the KKR captain Dinesh Karthik.

The duo stayed calm knew what they were doing and resisted the experienced Chennai bowlers to keep up with the desired pace in the chase. Gill scored a magnificent half century, his maiden in the IPL and Karthik remained unbeaten on 45 from 18 as they beat CSK quite comprehensively to take the no.3 spot on the points table.

Here is how Twitterati reacted during the course of this exciting game: