KKR’s middle order batter Rinku Singh has created IPL history in match 13 of IPL 2023. On 9 April, the diminutive southpaw scored five back-to-back sixes to give KKR an unlikely win over GT. Here’s how it happened.
Relatively Quiet 19th Over from Josh Little
Needing 205 to win, KKR were reduced to 176/7 at the end of 19 overs. Joshua Little bowled the 19th over, with KKR needing 43 to win. He conceded just 4 runs including two wides in the first four balls. Rinku smashed the fifth — a slow ball outside the off stump — over long on for six. The last ball was a back-of-length delivery on middle and leg. Rinku swivelled to allow himself room to pull it to the square leg fence.
Last Over from Yash Dayal
Then came the dramatic last over, with KKR needing 29 to win:
19.1
With Umesh Yadav on strike, Yash Dayal bowled a slow bouncer pitched outside the off-stump. Yadav was committed to a predetermined pull shot that he top-edged to deep midwicket. The ball fell short of the fielder. Thanks to the single, Rinku Singh was back on strike.
19.2
Dayal’s next ball was also outside the off stump. Rinku latched on to a full toss to smash it over and beyond extra cover. Six runs!
19.3
It was a second full toss from Dayal, this time directed at the pads. Rinku got into position quickly and whipped it over the fielder at backward square leg. Six more!
19.4
A third full toss from Yash Dayal disappeared over long off for another six!
19.5
Only 10 runs needed from the last two balls. Rashid Khan (GT’s stand-in skipper) and David Miller had some words of advice for the bowler. The advice was apparently well taken as Dayal bowled a slower back-of-the-hand delivery. However, Rinku appeared ready for the ball which sat up from short of a good length. Following his flat-batted shot, the ball sailed over long on for six more!
19.6
Under immense pressure, the bowler delivered another slow short ball. The batsman waited for it and gave it the same treatment. Like the shot on the previous delivery, this one was flat-batted down the ground. Six more to make it 31 from the over! Crazy scenes in the middle as the KKR bench raced towards Rinku Singh!
Gujarat Set a Competitive Target
Earlier, Gujarat Titans won the toss and chose to bat first. The early loss of opener Saha’s wicket was followed by a 67-run partnership between Gill and Sai Sudharshan. A late order run blitz by Vijay Shankar got GT to a more-than-competitive score of 204/4.
KKR Begin Well
Losing two wickets with just 28 runs on the board, KKR did not enjoy the best of starts. However, a 100-run partnership for the third wicket between Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer set them on course. Though they lost Iyer at 155/4 in the 16th over, KKR were sitting pretty, with the likes of Russell, Narine and Thakur still to come.
Rashid Khan’s Hattrick Puts GT on Top
GT googly bowler Rashid Khan had other ideas. In the first three balls of the 17th over, he dismissed all three to register his 4th hattrick in T20 cricket.
Stage is Set for Rinku Singh’s Miracle
At seven for 155, KKR were looking down the barrel of defeat. At that stage, nobody — except perhaps Rinku Singh — could have foreseen the miracle waiting to happen.
Conclusion
In the 13th match of IPL 2023, spectators witnessed what was possibly the most incredible finish in T20 cricket. Can anything top this? If you are looking to bet on cricket check out our article on the best cricket betting sites in India.
