File image of GT star batter Shubman Gill© BCCI/IPL
Virat Kohli set a series of records on his way to his second consecutive century of the 2023 IPL against Gujarat Titans at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday night, but Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) failed to make the tournament play-offs as Titans opener Shubman Gill helped his side to a brilliant six-wicket win with five balls to spare, leaving the home supporters stunned. Gill not only matched Kohli shot for shot, he also got a higher success rate that was crucial to his team’s near-perfect pursuit. He was ably supported by Vijay Shankar, who came in as an impact player and hit 53 off 35 balls. His innings were peppered with seven boundaries and a pair of sixes.
RCB’s loss meant that Mumbai Indians (MI), who had defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium earlier in the day, advanced to the playoffs by finishing fourth in the table with 16 points. RCB, on the other hand, finished sixth in the tournament 14 points behind Rajasthan Royals.
The Titans, who topped the table by 20 points, now play Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, while MI locks horns with Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator a day later.
Former Australian pacer Brett Lee was all praise for Gill, saying on JioCinema: “He hit eight sixes. I like how he goes on the leg side. He finds strength. He can do that and have access because he has strong wrists and he has good timing.”
Gill and Shankar set up a century and Lee said: “123 from 71 balls, that was the partnership that broke the backs of the RCB bowlers. Yes, it was a wet ball, the conditions weren’t really in the bowlers’ favor But you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. They both hit beautifully.”
Speaking of Kohli’s ton, former India Test captain Anil Kumble said on JioCinema: “You could see that passion and hunger. Today was an important innings for RCB, no other batsman went well today. Faf du Plessis is a very good player, but after that he came out quickly, the pressure was on Virat Kohli. But with that pressure and responsibility he scored a great century.”
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