Picture : BCCI
Defending Champions Gujarat Titans came out all guns blazing as they routed Lucknow Super Giants by 56 runs in Tata IPL 2023 match in Ahmedabad.
In a face- off between the Pandya brothers – Hardik Leading Gujarat Titans and Krunal Leading Lucknow Super Giants with regular skipper K L Rahul out of the tournament with injury, It was Hardik who had the last laugh .
LSG asked Gujarat to bat first and GT made the LSG pay for their move . GT openers – Shubman Gill batted right through to score a superb 94 ( 51 balls, 2 fours, 7 sixes) but it was Wriddhiman Saha who stole the limelight earlier on with a blistering 43 ball 81 ( 10 fours , 4 sixes. Skipper Hardik Pandya chipped in 1ith 15 ball 25 . David Miller was not out 12 as GT scored a massive 227/ 2 in their 20 overs.
LSG bowlers were hammered all over and their figures said it all . Mohsin Khan 1/ 42 ( 3 overs) , Avesh Khan 1/ 34 ( 4 overs) , Krunal Pandya 0/ 38 ( 4 overs) , Yash Thakur 0/ 48 ( 4 overs) , Ravi Bishnoi 0/ 21 ( 2 overs) , Kyle Mayers 0/ 16 ( 1 over) , Swapnil Singh 0/7 ( 1 over) , Marcus Stoinis 0/ 20 ( 1 over)
In reply to the mammoth target . LSG began well reaching 88 in 8. 2 overs before Mayers fell . But soon lost wickets at regular intervals to derail the chase . Opener Kyle Mayers threatened big with 32 ball 48 before he fell to a stunning catch by Rashid Khan who ran 26 metres to take the catch off the bowling of Mohit Sharma .
After along wait Quinton de Kock made his debut with superb 41 ball 70 ( 7 fours and 3 sixes) . But the rest of the LSG batting flopped . Deepak Hooda ( 11), Marcus Stoinis ( 9 ) , Nicholas Pooran ( 3 ) , Ayush Badoni ( 21). The GT total was simply to big. LSG could manage only 171/ 7 in their 20 overs. GT winning by 56 runs.
GT bowlers defended well with regular wickets. Mohammed Shami 1/ 37 ( 4 overs), Mohit Sharma was outstanding yet again with splendid figures 4/ 29 ( 4 overs) , Rashid Khan 1/ 34 ( 4 overs), Hardik Pandya 0/37( 3 overs) , Noor Ahmad 1/ 26 ( 4 overs) , Alzarri Joseph 0/ 5 ( 1 over)
GT Impact Player: Alzarri Joseph replaces Shubman Gill
LSG Impact Player: Ayush Badoni replaces Yash Thakur
Match: IPL 2023, 51st Match
Venue: Ahmedabad | Date: May 07, 2023
