The Rajasthan Royals were pulled down to earth in Wednesday’s Indian Premier League action, with the Gujarat Titans throwing a spanner in the works of their unbeaten run in the competition.
The Royals, who had managed four wins from four prior to this one, put 196/3 on the board in their 20 overs batting first.
Riyan Parag was on form once again, with 76 off 46 balls while skipper Sanju Samson was unbeaten for his 68 off 38.
Rashid Khan was the only economical bowler for the Titans, taking one wicket for 18 runs in his four overs.
With the bat, the visitors were kept down to just 83/3 in their first 11 overs as Kuldeep Sen took three big wickets in the first two overs of his spell.
Shubman Gill kept his calm with a classic T20 knock of 72 from 44 balls; and at the back end Rashid and Rahul Tewatia would put on impressive cameos to ensure the final 86 runs would be chased down in just six overs.
Gill, in his first season as captain of a franchise, gave some interesting insight into the mindset of the batters at the backend of the run chase.
“We were targetting 45 in three overs and it is very much gettable and that was the mindset at that time,” he said post-match.
“Mathematically both batters needed to hit 22 off nine balls and that’s how the thinking goes and if one batter goes berserk that will do.”
“I would have loved to finish the game, but very happy with Rahul and Rashid for finishing the job for us.”
On Thursday the battle of struggling giants Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru takes centre stage at the Wankhede Stadium before the Lucknow Super Giants host the Delhi Capitals on Friday.
Pictured above: Rashid Khan
Image source: @imkevin149
