How KKR’s Shubman Gill Used His Opportunity At Top of the Order

Shubamn Gill scored a 39-balll 65, which included seven fours and two sixes.

(Photo: BCCI/IPL)

With Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn rested for Friday’s match against Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens, Shubman Gill was promoted up the order. The move paid dividends as the youngster showed his batting prowess by scoring his second IPL fifty.

Opening the innings for the first time this season for KKR, Gill game glimpses of what he can do at the top. Playing a responsible innings, he scored 65 off 39 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes.

After KKR lost Joe Denly in the very first ball of their innings, Gill weathered the early swing that was on offer from Ishant Sharma.

Taking the KKR innings forward, Gill then shared a 63-run stand with Uthappa where along with hitting the boundaries, he rotated the strike as well. He hardly played any dot-ball throughout his innings as well.

Incidentally, Gill scored only 40 runs from the last six games.

Friday’s knock against Delhi Capitals will help him get the much-needed confidence. Batting in the middle-order for Kolkata, the right-hander did not get as many balls to bat as he would have wanted for but on Friday he showed his calm and composure to dish out a well-played knock.

After Gill’s knock, it was Andre Russell who yet again played a cameo to power Kolkata to 178/8 after their 20 overs.