Gujarat Titans came back to winning ways after beating Lucknow Super Giants by 7 runs on Saturday at home. On a sticky wicket, Lucknow Super Giants bowled exceedingly well to restrict Gujarat for a paltry score of 135 runs at the end of the first innings.
Their biggest bet with the bat, Shubman Gill got out for a duck. Krunal Pandya accounted for his wicket in the second over of the innings. Saha and Hardik Pandya then steadied the ship and added 68 runs for the third wicket. It was Saha, who was releasing the pressure with his free flow innings.
Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, however, was struggling to time the ball. Saha, eventually, got out off Krunal Pandya after playing a valiant knock of 47 runs in 37 balls. At 72 for 2, Gujarat need to up the ante but wickets kept falling. The likes of Manohar (3), Vijay Shankar (10), and Miller (6) failed to hit the straps.
Hardik Pandya though, released the pressure by taking on Ravi Bishnoi and ended up scoring 66 off 50 balls. His knock lifted the team to a 135-run but it didn’t look like it would be enough. For Lucknow, Krunal Pandya and Stoinis picked two wickets each.
In pursuit of the run-chase, KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers added 55 runs in 38 balls before the latter departed off Rashid Khan. KL Rahul kept the scoreboard ticking and added another half-century partnership with Pandya.
Till 15 overs, Lucknow cruised to 100-run mark, however, the last two overs saw things changing pretty quickly.
In the final two overs, LSG required 17 runs to win the match. Shami bowled a sensational penultimate over where he conceded only 5 runs. However, drama unfolded in the final over where Mohit Sharma picked the wickets of KL Rahul, Stonis in two consecutive deliveries. On the next ball, Ayush Badoni was run-out, followed by another wicket of Deepak Hooda.
Gujarat, in the end, won the match by 7 runs. Here’s a look at how fans reacted to Gujarat’s win:
I blame KL Rahul for this loss
— Sohail. (@iamsohail__1) April 22, 2023
I blame KL Rahul for this loss
— Sohail. (@iamsohail__1) April 22, 2023
He just showed the whole world that you can never write off a legendary player like him.
— Shirsha Bhattacharyya (@Shirsha_18) April 22, 2023
Rahul losing games from winning position has happened last year too.
— saisundar (@saisund33013985) April 22, 2023
comeback story in IPL history ????
— Naman ? (@kyayaarnaman) April 22, 2023
Peak Mohit Sharma is back
— ?•Sa?rab?•?? (@falsegodAizen) April 22, 2023
MOM deserved for him for sure
— Kings 2 (@Fanbasecrictext) April 22, 2023
This team deserves another trophy ? what a comeback by #GT ? @gujarat_titans
— Mittul Bakshi (@mittul_bakshi25) April 22, 2023
Hardik masterstroke ???
— cricket fan (@cricketfansena) April 22, 2023
Klol should immediately retire from T20s
— SavageCreature (@SavageCreature) April 22, 2023
