IPL 2023: We were 20-25 runs short – Nitish Rana after loss against Gujarat Titans

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Nitish Rana admitted that they were 20-25 runs short of a par score after suffering a seven-wicket at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday. KKR posted 179 runs on the board after GT skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to bowl first.

KKR opener Ramanullah Gurbaz scored 81 runs from 39 balls and gave a blistering start to his team. However, the team’s move to promote Shardul Thakur didn’t work as he was dismissed for a duck after Jagadeesan scored 19 runs. Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana were also dismissed cheaply in the middle order.

Furthermore, Rinku Singh, who had earlier played a mind-blowing knock against Gujarat Titans, meandered to 19 runs from 20 balls. Andre Russell did add the finishing touches for KKR as he scored 34 runs from 19 balls.

On the other hand, Gujarat Titans were able to chase down the score with 13 balls to spare. Shubman Gill scored 49 runs while batting at the top of the order whereas Vijay Shankar scored an unbeaten knock of 51 runs off just 24 balls.

Shankar has been in amazing form in the ongoing season as he has scored 199 runs in six matches at an average of 49.75 and a strike rate of 165.83.

David Miller also scored 32 runs from 18 balls and he added 87 runs with Vijay Shankar to help GT get over the line.

Nitish Rana said in the post-match presentation, “I think we were 20-25 runs short, up against top teams, we can’t be this sloppy with the bat. We didn’t get partnerships developing, other than Gurbaz and Russell, no one else, including me, scored.”

He added, “If we got a good partnership in the middle overs, we could have done better. In crucial games and against top oppositions, you need to do all the basics well in all the three departments of the game. The batting was ok today, but we didn’t bowl well. Need to do well in the small moments, bowl according to the plan and do the basics well.”

KKR will look to bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches. The Nitish Rana-led team will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.