IPL 2022 Qualifier 1: David Miller and Hardik Pandya’s partnership takes Gujrat Titans to finals
On Tuesday, the first qualifier saw some sensational action as Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals played at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Gujrat Titans captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided
to field first. It was an ideal start for GT as Yash Dayal got rid of left-handed
Jaiswal without contributing any significant runs. Jaiswal walked off before
the umpire gave it out. RR captain Sanju Samson showed intent right from the
word go putting enough pressure on GT bowlers. On the other hand, Jos Buttler struggled
with his timing. Samson hit 3 boundaries and 3 sixes in the first 11 balls. At the
end of the first six overs, RR made 55 for 1. With that over, the first timeout was
taken.
Samson maintained the momentum for RR along with Buttler
struggling for timing. As a result of dot balls by Buttler, Samson wanted to hit
a big shot as Sai Kishore got his wicket. Samson and Buttler added 68 runs for
the 2nd wicket. Devdutt Paddikal showed intent right from the word
go putting pressure on GT bowlers while Buttler remained calm. At the end of the second
timeout, RR made 98 for 2.
Hardik Pandya provided a breakthrough getting the wicket of
Paddikal taking the inside edge onto the stumps. Paddikal and Buttler added 37 runs
for the 3rd wicket. After the initial struggle, Buttler upped the ante
putting enough pressure on GT bowlers especially Yash Dayal hitting four 4
boundaries in an over. During the course, he completed fifty off 42 balls. After
reaching half-century, Buttler looked in sublime form making GT pay as Hardik
Pandya dropped a catch chance. Shami got rid of Hetymer with a simple catch to
Tewaita. Buttler and Hetymer added 45 runs for the 4th wicket.
Buttler displayed great hitting putting enough pressure on GT bowlers. He was
eventually run out of a no-ball while trying to the second run. Thanks to a
brilliant knock by Buttler and Samson, RR posted 188 for 6 in 20 overs.
Chasing 189 runs to win, it was not an ideal start as
Wriddhiman Saha fell in the very first over off Trent Boult’s bowling. Shubman
Gill and Matthew Wade showed intent right from word go keeping the scoreboard
ticking putting enough pressure on RR bowlers. At the end of the first six overs,
GT made 64 for 1. With that, the first timeout was called.
R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal bowled tight not allowing Gill
and Wade to keep the scoreboard ticking. A horrible mix-up resulted in the run-out
of Shubman Gill. Gill and Wade added 72 runs for the 2nd wicket. Obed
McCoy struggled with his rhythm in his first over conceding runs. McCoy struck
dismissing Wade caught by Buttler to leave GT struggling.
Hardik Pandya showed intent in keeping the scoreboard ticking
for GT while Miller looked out of sorts against RR, especially Chahal. At the
end of the second timeout, Gujarat Titans made 146 for 3.
Miller showed his skills with the bat taking on RR bowlers reaching
fifty off 35 balls while Hardik Pandya rotated the strike. With 16 runs required
from 1 over, Miller smashed 3 sixes in succession to give Gujarat Titans a 7
wicket win. Miller and Pandya added unbeaten 106 runs for the 4th
wicket.
Gujarat Titans 191 for 3 in 19.3 overs ( Miller 68*, Pandya
40*, Boult 1/38) beat Rajasthan Royals 188 for 6 in 20 overs ( Buttler 89, Samson
47, Hardik Pandya 1/14) by 7 wickets.
For his unbeaten 68 off 38 balls, David Miller was named the
man of the match award. With this win, Gujarat Titans qualified directly for the finals on 29th May.
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