IPL: Rinku Singh smashes five sixes at the death as KKR snatches win over GT
- Planet Sport writer
- 9 April 2023
In a thrilling Indian Premier League match on Sunday, Rinku Singh's stunning performance led Kolkata Knight Riders to a sensational three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans.
With 29 runs required off the last over, Rinku smashed five consecutive sixes against left-arm pacer Yash Dayal to achieve a last-ball triumph.
KKR's Venkatesh Iyer contributed 83 runs off 40 balls, while captain Nitish Rana played a fine knock of 45 runs off 29 balls. However, it was Rinku's heroic display that sealed the win for KKR with one four and six maximums.
Earlier, GT posted an impressive 204 for four with Sai Sudharsan and Vijay Shankar both scoring fifties, while opener Shubman Gill contributed 39. Sunil Narine was KKR's standout bowler, taking three wickets for 33 runs.
Hardik Pandya was unable to play due to illness, and Rashid Khan led GT in his absence. Despite Rashid's impressive figures of 3 for 37 and Alzarri Joseph's two wickets, GT couldn't prevent KKR's incredible comeback.
“ My father struggled a lot, I come from a farmer's family, Every ball that I hit out of the ground was dedicated to the people who sacrificed so much for me" : Rinku Singh got emotional ( Post match ) #GTvKKR pic.twitter.com/GnjX9QJg51
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) April 9, 2023
Sunrisers off the mark against Punjab Kings
In the second match of the day, Sunrisers Hyderabad picked up their first win of the competition, beating the Punjab Kings by x wickets thanks in large part to Mayank Markande's spectacular bowling performance.
Markande took four wickets for just 15 runs, while South Africa's Marco Jansen also made a solid contribution, claiming two scalps for just sixteen runs in his three overs.
That kind of tight bowling saw Punjab manage just 143/9 in their 20 overs, a total which Sunrisers were able to chase down without too much fuss.
Rahul Tripathi provided the bulk of the scoring, smashing 74 off 48 balls while another South African, Aiden Markram, provided able support as they chased the runs down, contributing 37 off just 21.
