'Shankar ka shanivaar' - Fans react as Vijay Shankar stars in Gujarat Titan's 7 wicket win over KKR in IPL 2023

The action returned in the sixteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 29. The day’s first game had Kolkata Knight Riders hosting the defending champions Gujarat Titans in the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The second game of the day will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with the Delhi Capitals going up against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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Talking of the first game, Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl first. In a respectable bowling display, the defending champions restricted the home team to 179/7 inside 20 overs. The game that was momentarily delayed due to a wet outfield saw young wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz play a fantastic knock of 81 off 39 balls while opening the batting for KKR.

Vijay Shankar remained the star for Gujarat Titans

A handy knock of 34 off 19 balls lower down the order by Andre Russell took the team total to 179, setting GT a competitive total of 180 runs. For the defending champions, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami struck thrice to return with figures of 3/33 in four overs. Noor Ahmed and Joshua Little put on a masterclass of economical bowling, conceding just 21 and 25 in their quota of four overs while scalping two wickets each.

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In reply, the defending champions got off to a good start with the openers stitching a 41 runs opening stand before Wriddhiman Saha continued his disappointing displays, getting out after scoring just 10. Shubman Gill was unlucky as he got out for 49. Ultimately, Vijay Shankar and David Miller led the charge to take GT over the finish line. For KKR, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell returned with a wicket apiece in a forgettable bowling display. GT won the game by 7 wickets.

Next, in the Indian Premier League 2023, another doubleheader awaits spectators on Sunday. In an action-packed Sunday, the Chennai Super Kings will look to bounce back from their last defeat at the hands of RR as they take on Punjab Kings at the Chepauk. The second game will pit CSK’s arch-rivals, Mumbai Indians, against the Rajasthan Royals at their home, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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First 12 ball - 12 Runs
Next 12 ball - 39 runs

It's wc Year and Lord Shankar coming back to hunt no 4 spot again

— Raktim Ranjan Goswami (@raktim_goswami) April 29, 2023

Shankar anna
Wc Year
🔥🔥🔥

— 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈 𝙎𝙪𝙮𝙖𝙨𝙝 (@VirMessiSuyash) April 29, 2023

No RCB no party for Kkhar

— Beast (@Beast_xx_) April 29, 2023

Classic KKR bottlers 😂😂

— Janak Palit (@JanakPalit) April 29, 2023

Guy performs only during world cup years pic.twitter.com/AGajCKpHHh

— SANKET (@oye_protein) April 29, 2023

And we needed 74 in 24 balls against RR

— CSK🏆🙏👍 (@Pkccckp) April 29, 2023

Rana captaincy 😭😭😭😭

— marwadi (@SunilJo71782657) April 29, 2023

Jis bhagwan ne vijay shankar jaise player ko 200 ke strike rate se fifty banwa di ho usne mere liye kuch na kuch soch rakha hoga 👍🏼

— universalcreeps69 (@universalcreeps) April 29, 2023