ABU DHABI: After playing a match-winning knock of 70 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday, Kolkata Knight Riders‘ (KKR) batsman Shubman Gill said that it is important for all the openers to take their team over the line. KKR defeated SRH by seven wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
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The Dinesh Karthik-led side chased down the target of 143 with 12 balls to spare. For KKR, Gill and Eoin Morgan remained unbeaten on 70 and 42 respectively.
“I think the plan was simple, I was just looking to get set and take my team over the line. The target was not that big, so it was important for me to stay there and as a batting unit, I think we all did well,” said Gill during a virtual press conference.
“It is important for any opener to see their team through and that was the plan. It is a team decision as to who will open or not. As of now, we are sticking to Sunil Narine; he has been fantastic for us in the past,” he added.

Before the press conference, Gill also spoke during the post-match presentation, where he was awarded the ‘Man of the Match’ prize.
“I think the ball was not spinning much and (it) was easy to hit down the ground. I have practised power hitting in the last couple of years,” said Gill.
“I think it was important for us to win. We bowled really and we had to back it up with a good performance. There were not any long conversations with Morgan. We were just trying to anticipate what the bowlers can try and do,” he added.
KKR restricted SunRisers to just 142/4 as all their bowlers put up a clinical show. Pat Cummins was the standout bowler as he ended with figures of 1-19 from his quota of four overs, managing to bag the wicket of Jonny Bairstow.

Cummins had a poor performance against Mumbai Indians as he conceded more than 50 runs in his four overs, but he was able to bounce back against Hyderabad.
Speaking about Cummins, Gill said: “He is a world class bowler, probably one of the best bowlers in the world, bowled really well…one odd day doesn’t matter to us.”
KKR have so far played two matches in this year’s IPL and the side has won one match. The Dinesh Karthik-led side will next lock horns with Rajasthan Royals on September 30.