The 19-year-old batting sensation didn’t let his captain down as he was promoted again to open the innings with Chris Lynn. He slammed the second consecutive 50-plus score, remaining unbeaten on 65 off 49 balls.
His innings was laced with five fours and 2 sixes while both the maximums came off in a single over which was bowled by KXIP skipper Ravichandran Ashwin. Gill’s fireworks not only charged up the KKR supporters present at the venue but also compelled his father, Lakhwinder Singh, to do some Bhangra moves at the stands.
Ashwin came to deliver the last over of his spell and Gill welcomed him with a maximum over long-on. The next six came off the third ball which when beyond the deep backward square leg boundary. The youngster smashed a four to Ashwin to bring up his fifty and his father couldn’t hold himself from showing some moves.
Here’s the video:
Lakwinder's dance moves impressed KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan so much that he took to his Twitter account to acknowledge the moment.
The day belonged to Gill, who showed superb timing to milk boundaries at will even as Andre Russell, batting at number 4, failed to produce his usual spark.
Skipper Dinesh Karthik (21 off 9 balls not out) smashed Sam Curran for a six and a four to hit the winning runs in the 18th over, as KKR won with 12 balls to spare. KKR posted 185/3 in 18 overs.
The result saw KKR jump to the fifth spot with 12 points and one to play, against already-qualified Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Kings XI, meanwhile, dropped to seventh in the eight-team points table with one game to go, and their chances are all but over.