Gujarat Titans (GT) returned to the top spot in the points table for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 tournament following a narrow three-wicket victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who suffered their fifth defeat from six matches so far in this year’s edition.
The veteran South Africa batsman David Miller scored an unbeaten 94 to win the man of the match award and helped his team to win which looked unlikely at one stage in the contest played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association ground in Pune on Sunday night.
After an impressive half-century from their opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad and a fluent 46 from their middle order batsman Ambati Rayudu took Chennai Super Kings to a respectable total of 169/5 in their 20 overs, Gujarat Titans left struggling at 48/4 at one stage.
Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to form with a brilliant 73 from just 48 balls, inclusive of five boundaries and as many sixes whereas Ambati Rayudu made 46 from 31 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu added 92 runs for the third wicket from only 56 balls to solidify for their side, who were off to a shaky start losing Robin Uthappa and Moeen Ali for cheap in quick succession.
The in-form CSK batsman Shivam Dube could not manage more than a 17-ball 19 with the help of two boundaries towards the ending stages of the first innings, while Ravindra Jadeja did well to smack two sixes to reach 22 not out from just 12 balls while adding 38 vital runs for the sixth wicket with the tall all-rounder from Mumbai who has also played for India in the past.
The West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was impressive in his debut for Gujarat Titans on Sunday night, returning with 4-0-34-2 whereas the other fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Yash Dayal claimed one wicket each.
The New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was wicketless in his four overs, giving away as many as 46 runs while the Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan was also wicketless in his 0/29 from four overs.
In their reply, Gujarat Titans made a horrific start in the absence of the regular captain Hardik Pandya, who missed the contest due to an injury to his groin. India wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha could manage only 11 from 18 balls whereas Shubman Gill was out for a first-ball duck off Chennai fast bowler Mukesh Choudhary.
With their top order blown away, Gujarat Titans needed a fightback which was provided by David Miller, who finished with 94 not out from just 51 balls with the help of six sixes and eight boundaries.
Rashid Khan, who was the acting captain for Gujarat Titans on Sunday night, scored a 21 ball 40 with 3 sixes and 2 fours. The Gujarat Titans were able to finish the game in 19.5 overs, scoring 170/7.