Gill has strong wrists and great timing: Brett Lee

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New Delhi | Virat Kohli (101 not out) smashed several records in his second consecutive century of IPL 2023 against Gujarat Titans at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday night. But Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) could not make it to the play-offs. The Titans won the match by six wickets with five balls to spare thanks to a brilliant century from opener Shubman Gill (104 not out). Gill not only equaled Kohli for shots, he scored with a better strike rate which was vital to his team’s run chase. He was well supported by Vijay Shankar, who came in as an impact player and scored a 35-ball 53. His innings had seven fours and two sixes.

RCB’s defeat means that Mumbai Indians (MI), who beat Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier in the day, go into the play-offs as they finish fourth on the table with 16 points. On the other hand, RCB finished sixth in the tournament with 14 points ahead of Rajasthan Royals.

Titans, who top the table with 20 points, will now play Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, while MI will clash with Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator a day later.

Brett Lee praised Gill, saying: He hit eight sixes. His shots on the leg side were excellent. He has strong wrists and good timing.

Gill and Shankar shared a century partnership and Lee said: 123 off 71 balls was the partnership that broke the backs of RCB bowlers. Yes, the conditions were not really in favor of the bowlers but you have to give credit where it deserves. Both of them batted well.

Talking about Kohli’s century, Anil Kumble said: You can see that passion and hunger. Today was an important day for RCB. None of the batsmen was doing well. Faf du Plessis is a very good player, but after his departure, the pressure has shifted to Virat Kohli. But with that pressure and responsibility, he scored a brilliant hundred.

–IANS

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