Nearly three weeks have passed since Rinku Singh's stunning attack on the Gujarat Titans (GT), which enabled Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to defeat them at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, since then, it has been a contrasting campaign for the two teams since then.
While the defending champions have won three since that loss to KKR and are at the top half of the points table, KKR, on the other hand, suffered four losses before they got a win against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Wriddhiman Saha was sent back early but Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya stitched a superb 50 run partnership.
While it looked like these two might finish the game off, KKR responded with two quick wickets.
But, it did not make much difference as Vijay Shankar and David Miller, who took some time to settle in, went on to take their side to victory.
50 off 24 balls!!
What a turnaround for GT and Vijay Shankar the batter!
Gill goes for the glory shot to reach his 50 and that costs him his wicket!!
Didn't get the ball off the middle and Russell from the deep gets under to complete a neat catch.
Shubman Gill c Russell b Narine 49(35) [4s-8]
It was fast and full, angled in and Pandya shimmied inwards to tuck it leg side but was late on getting his bat down.
The ball struck in front of middle and the GT skipper does not review.
Hardik Pandya lbw b Harshit Rana 26(20) [4s-2 6s-1]
The birthday boy has a wicket!
It was a good length and just outside off and Saha was looking to go back over the bowler's head.
He dragged it high and towards mid-wicket where Rana back-pedalled, kept his eyes on the ball and pouches a simple catch.
Saha c Harshit Rana b Russell 10(10) [4s-1]
A wicket to end the innings and KKR finish with 179!
Shami kept it full and wide of off, away from Russell's hitting zone.
But the batter reached out on the slog and sliced it high.
The ball went straight down the throat of Tewatia at deep point.
Russell c Rahul Tewatia b Shami 34(19) [4s-2 6s-3]
A smart catch at long-off by Little!
Noor got Rinku to hit big and the south-paw could not resist and went hard on the shot.
Little, took the catch with ease, but as he was not sure, popped the ball up, got himself into control and took it on the rebound.
Rinku Singh c Joshua Little b Noor Ahmad 19(20) [6s-1]
Noor gets rid of his Afghan team-mate Gurbaz and he'll have to thank his Afghan teammate Rashid!
It was a low full-toss on middle and leg and Gurbaz looked to whip it.
But the ball went slightly low on the bat, scooped it in the air and was dropping in front of deep mid-wikcet.
However, Rashid ran in, slid forward and went with soft hands on the catch.
Gurbaz c Rashid Khan b Noor Ahmad 81(39) [4s-5 6s-7]
What a spell from Joshua Little.
The short of a length delivery outside off stump, Rana cuts, picks out backward point to perfection.
Nitish Rana c Rahul Tewatia b Joshua Little 4(3) [4s-1]
Another bad review by Gurbaz!
It was a full delivery angling in and Venky first backed a long way away, then moved inside to scoop.
Joshua Little kept it simple,
Venkatesh Iyer lbw b Joshua Little 11(14)
Fifty from Gurbaz. Ensured KKR did not miss Jason Roy at the top.
Mohit Sharma took a diving difficult catch.
Shardul played what looked like a good shot, but totally mishit that.
The ball looked to fall on the no-mans land, but Mohit said, "not today",
Thakur c Mohit Sharma b Shami 0(4)
Why did Gurbaz suggest to review that?
It was a length delivery on the stumps and Jagadeesan moved across to flick the ball but he missed it.
Impact in line with middle stump and a no brainer for the umpire as the finger went up.
Wrong review by KKR!,
N Jagadeesan lbw b Shami 19(15) [4s-4]
The covers are on at the Eden Gardens!
The rain has stopped, but the ground staff aren't removing any other cover.
KKR make forced changes - Jason Roy has a back issue, he's replaced by Gurbaz. Harshit Rana replaces Umesh Yadav.
Teams:
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Wriddhiman Saha(w), Abhinav Manohar, Hardik Pandya(c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Joshua Little,
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): N Jagadeesan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana(c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, David Wiese, Shardul Thakur, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy