New Delhi, After a stormy half-century by skipper Hardik Pandya, the Gujarat Titans recorded a resounding 3-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in the match played on Thursday in the 18th season of the IPL T20 cricket tournament.
This is Gujarat’s fourth victory in five matches. Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat first.
Gujarat scored 15 for four in the allotted 20 overs with the help of an unbeaten 3-run innings by Hardik Pandya. In reply, Rajasthan Royals managed to score 19 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.
With this victory, Gujarat Titans team has reached the top position in the points table with eight points in five matches. While Rajasthan Royals are ranked third. Rajasthan Royals batted disappointingly as they reached the target to reach the target of 16 runs.
Opener Jace Butler batted immediately but did not find the right support at the opposite end. One wicket after another was falling at the opposite end. Out of the top five batsmen, only opener Jace Butler was able to show impressive batting.
He hit eight runs off eight balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes. While his fellow opener Devdutt Padikkal could not even open an account.
Even Ravichandran Ashwin, who was promoted to the top position in batting, could not do anything amazing. He was dismissed for eight off eight balls.
While skipper Sanju Sams contributed 11 runs and Resi van der Dussen scored six runs. Shimron Heitmeyer also batted aggressively but his efforts were not enough for the team.
He hit six off 12 balls, including two fours and a six. While Ryan Parag was out for 16 runs. For Gujarat, Yash Dayal and Loki Ferguson took three wickets each.
While Mohammad Shami and Hardik Pandya had a breakthrough. After the Rajasthan Royals invited them to bat first, the Gujarat team, especially skipper Hardik Pandya, batted in a tumultuous manner.
The team did not start well. The batting of Matthew Wade, Shubhaman Gill and Vijay Shankar was disappointing. Wade and Gill’s opening jade did not start as expected. Matthew Wade was dismissed for 18 while Gill also fell victim to Ryan Pollen for 18. While Vijay Shankar could score only three runs
