In a one-sided Indian Premier League match, Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets after easily chasing down their target of 119 runs.
The Rajasthan Royals were bowled out for just 118 runs in 17.5 overs, thanks to the outstanding performance by the Afghan spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, who took five wickets between them. Captain Hardik Pandya contributed to the win with a quickfire 39 not out off just 15 balls (3x4s, 3x6s).
Opening with a solid partnership of 71 runs between Shubman Gill (36) and Wriddhiman Saha (41 not out off 34 balls), Gujarat Titans were set up for a commanding victory. Both Saha and Gill got off to a fast start against RR pacer Trent Boult, hitting the left-arm fast bowler for a couple of fours each inside the powerplay, after which Gujarat Titans were 49 for no loss.
Yuzvendra Chahal managed to get Gill stumped for a 35-ball 36 (4x4s) in the 10th over, but it had no effect on the Gujarat Titans’ dominant win.
In the first innings, Rajasthan Royals appeared to be in a comfortable position, having scored 47 runs for the loss of one wicket in the first five overs. However, they suffered a batting collapse and lost nine wickets in quick succession without putting up much of a fight. As a result, they were bowled out for a mere total of 71 runs in just 17.5 overs.
To start their innings, Jos Buttler (8) hit two fours in a row in the second over before being caught by Mohit Sharma at short third man off the bowling of Pandya.
Samson and Jaiswal fiven score to Rajasthan Royals:
Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal (14) attempted to give Rajasthan Royals some momentum by building a 36-run second-wicket stand, but it was disrupted in the last over of the powerplay when Abhinav Manohar made a diving stop to prevent Samson’s cut. Rashid was the fielder who picked up the ball and ran out Jaiswal with a direct hit while he was far from the crease.
The proceedings were then firmly controlled by the Rashid-led bowling attack. Rashid put an end to Samson’s promising start of 30 off 20 balls (3x4s, 1x6s) as he got the Rajasthan Royals’ captain caught inside the ring off a mistimed stroke.
In the eighth over, Rashid outclassed his counterpart, Ravichandran Ashwin (2), for most of the over and eventually dismantled his off-stump on the final ball. Riyan Parag (4) continued his disappointing form and failed to read the Afghan leggie’s googly in the 10th over, making an unsuccessful appeal.
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