Gujarat and Kolkata locked horns in the 35th game of the ongoing Indian T20 League 2022 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai. For the first time in the season, a team elected to bat first after winning the toss. The Hardik Pandya-led side won the toss and elected to bat first citing hot weather and wanting to preserve their energy. Meanwhile, they lost their opener Shubman Gill (7) early in the innings.
In the first ball of the second over, Gill was caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Sam Billings off Tim Southee’s bowling. At this stage, Gujarat’s skipper Hardik Pandya came out to bat at three. It is to be noted that he missed out on the last game against Chennai due to a groin injury. Meanwhile, the skipper and Wriddhiman Saha (25) stitched a partnership of 75 runs
The latter was caught at backward point by Venkatesh Iyer with the score reading 83/2 in 10.3 overs. In came the last hero from the last match, David Miller. The duo added another 50 runs for the team in 5.5 overs. Miller (27) was outfoxed by an off-cutter from Shivam Mavi and was caught safely by Yadav. Pandya (67) followed in the next over as he was caught by Rinku Singh off Southee’s bowling. This wicket was the turning point for the team in the next few overs.
From 138/4 in 17.2 overs, the team was restricted to 156/9 at the end of the innings. Andre Rusell picked a four-wicket haul in the last over of the innings. In reply, the Men in Purple and Gold had a forgettable start to their innings. Sam Billings tried to play a shot against Mohammed Shami but was caught by Saha in the first over.
Two overs later, Shami removed Sunil Narine (5) with another short ball as the latter was caught at short fine by Lockie Ferguson. In the fifth over, Saha took his second catch of the game in the form of Nitish Rana (2). Right after the powerplay, skipper Shreyas Iyer (12) was also caught by Saha. It was Yash Dayal who dismissed him. At 34/4, Rinku Singh (35) and Venkatesh Iyer stitched a partnership of 45 runs before the former was caught by Saha off Dayal.
The all-rounder followed in the next over as he was caught off Rashid Khan’s bowling. Two overs later, Khan deceived Shivam Mavi (2) with a googly. At 108/7, the likes of Umesh Yadav and Andre Russell (48) took the team close before the latter was dismissed by Alzarri Joseph with the team needing 12 runs off four balls. The wicket proved costly for the team as they then lost the game by eight runs.
This is how Twitter reacted
Andre Russell's performance in this match reminds me of @__veebee31's GOAT tweet 🤣🤣#KKRvGT pic.twitter.com/dyC06YjlWr
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) April 23, 2022
Dear Teams,
Build your playing XI around strong experienced bowling and watch the magic unfold.
Yours truly,
Gujarat Titans#KKRvsGT— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) April 23, 2022
It’s not easy for a bowler to hold his nerves, especially against power hitting. Well done #AlzarriJoseph and #GujaratTitans #KKRvsGT #ipl2022 #CricketTwitter
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 23, 2022
Barring the impossible, @gujarat_titans have all but ensured the Top 4 ticket #GTvsKKR
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) April 23, 2022
Sunrisers Hyderabad is the only team to beat Gujarat Titans this year.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 23, 2022
4 consecutive losses.
A tough one to digest.Most of the matches could be won..
Missed by a whisker. 💔@KKRiders gotta win practically all, now! Let's repeat 2021's 2nd half— BRIJWA SRK FAN (@BrijwaSRKman) April 23, 2022
Gujarat Titans in #IPL2022:
Won
Won
Won
Lost vs SRH
Won
Won
WonAnd they will face SRH next.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 23, 2022
🎉 6 win out of 7 . Performance of GT is superb. Captain knock deliver from Kun fu pandya â¤ï¸,all ballers done their job perfectly taking wickets and breaking partnership at right time.keep going GT â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/cy4SuZjE6s
— Shubham (@Shubham80751057) April 23, 2022
That's a top all-round performance by Dre Russ! Took @KKRiders close to the finish line, but couldn't see it all the way through! Great stuff @Russell12A 👌👌👌 @gujarat_titans is sitting comfortably at the top of the table ðŸ‘👠#IPL2022 #GTvKKR
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 23, 2022
Lockie always has a key to save the game! Last time I was wrong. But not today. From taking a top class catch to saving a boundary carefully. Both in the last over of the game! @SriniMaama16#GTvsKKR https://t.co/MNWIAKApeb
— Srihari SA (@Srihari9415) April 23, 2022
