KKR vs GT | Gujarat’s scintillating top three continue to dominate as Gill’s 90 overpowers timid Kolkata

In response, Kolkata began ominously when Rahmanullah Gurbaaz lasted just four balls on his season debut before being trapped plumb by Mohammed Siraj. Sunil Narine and Ajinkya Rahane tried to give the team some impetus thereafter but the former was struggling to connect cleanly, and ultimately holed out off a half-tracker down leg by Rashid Khan in the final over of the powerplay with the score 43/2. The wicket marked the beginning of a five-over streak where Venkatesh Iyer combined with his skipper for just 26 runs in five overs and when Rahane did break the shackles with a four and six in the 11th, Venky departed striaght after to Sai Kishore to cease control of the encounter once again. When Washington Sundar had Rahane stumped six balls later, the hosts seemed to be left with little chance despite the explosive presence of Rinku Singh and Andre Russell — the latter finishing the over with 10 runs off two balls. Tight overs from Sai and Prasidh Krishna further levied pressure, culminating in Russell also trying to step out against Rashid to hand Buttler a second stumping on the night. Two balls later, Prasidh took a stunner off his own bowling to send Ramandeep Singh packing, and then resigned Moeen to a two-ball duck to shut off any hopes that remained for the Purple Army. Angkrish Raghuvanshi provided some late thrills in his 27-run cameo, but it was merely consolation as Gujarat completed a comprehensive victory over the defending champions.