Shreyas Gopal Stunning 5-Wicket Haul Powers Karnataka to Easy Win Over Sikkim in SMAT 2024
NEW DELHI: Shreyas Gopal, the right-arm leg-spinner set to join MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL, showcased his exceptional skills on Friday, leading Karnataka to a resounding victory over Sikkim in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Gopal’s dazzling performance with the ball—5 wickets for just 13 runs in 4 overs—helped dismiss Sikkim for a mere 82 runs.
Gopal’s brilliant spell, supported by Vidyadhar Patil’s 3/10, left Sikkim’s batting line-up in disarray, with only Ashish Thapa (18) managing to put up any resistance. The entire Sikkim team was bundled out in just 18.2 overs.
In reply, Karnataka made light work of the small target, reaching 86/2 in just 5.4 overs. Manish Pandey led the charge with a rapid 30 off 13 balls, while KL Shrijith added a quickfire 37 from 13 balls. Despite early wickets, Karnataka clinched an 8-wicket win, with Shrijith falling to Mohammad Saptula and Mayank Agarwal dismissed early.
Gopal’s brilliant all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award as he was instrumental in Karnataka’s dominance throughout the match. His five-wicket haul was a turning point, ensuring Karnataka’s easy victory.
The performance will surely excite fans of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who secured Gopal for his base price of ₹30 lakh in the 2025 IPL mega-auction. His match-winning spell highlighted his ability to make a significant impact in both domestic and international cricket.
