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Gujarat Titans (GT) rode Mohit Sharma's incredible spell to thrash Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by seven wickets in Ahmedabad on March 31, Sunday. Bowling first Mohit Sharma's blistering spell of 3/25 helped GT restrict SRH to 162/8. In reply, SRH's bowlers looked helpless as couldn't make much impact which allowed GT to score freely and eventually took the game away from Pat Cummins' side with five balls to spare. GT recorded their second win of IPL 2024 and surged to no.4 in the points table with four points under their belt.
Gujarat Titans cruise to victory led by strong batting display
Chasing a modest target of 162, the Gujarat Titans openers, Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha, provided a solid foundation for their chase. They put on a quickfire 36-run partnership in just 25 balls, with Saha contributing 25 runs off 13 balls before being dismissed by Shahbaz Ahmed.
Gill found another capable partner in substitute Sai Sudharsan. Together, they continued the momentum, adding 38 runs in a 30-ball partnership. Sudharsan impressed with a well-made 45 runs off 36 balls before departing with SRH captain Pat Cummins claiming the wicket.
David Miller then joined Sudharsan and formed the highest partnership for the Titans, contributing a crucial 64 runs in just 42 balls. Miller, known for his power-hitting, remained unbeaten, scoring a vital 44 runs off just 27 balls. He sealed the victory for Gujarat Titans in style with a towering six, showcasing his finishing prowess.
Vijay Shankar, batting at number 5, provided valuable support to Miller in the later stages, scoring an unbeaten 14 runs with two boundaries. The convincing win over Sunrisers Hyderabad further strengthens Gujarat Titans' position in the IPL tournament.
Gujarat Titans Spin Web, Restrict SRH to 162
Earlier, GT bowlers put on a masterful display to restrict the high-flying Sunrisers Hyderabad to a modest 162 for 8 in their IPL match on Sunday. After a blistering start by SRH, the Afghan spin duo of Rashid Khan (1/33) and Noor Ahmad (1/32) tightened the noose in the middle overs.
SRH, coming off a record-breaking 277-run chase in their previous game, initially looked set for another big total. They cruised to 56/1 inside the powerplay, with Travis Head leading the charge. However, the introduction of the young Afghan spinners proved to be a turning point. Noor dismissed the in-form Head (19), while Rashid sent back the explosive Heinrich Klaasen (24) against the flow of runs.
Rashid's impact extended beyond his wicket-taking ability. He showcased his athleticism with a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Aiden Markram, further derailing the SRH batting. The middle order faltered under the pressure, scoring only 40 runs and losing five wickets in the final five overs.
Veteran seamer Mohit Sharma then delivered the knockout punch in the death overs. He picked up crucial wickets of Shahbaz Ahmed (22) and Washington Sundar (0) off consecutive deliveries, finishing with impressive figures of 3-25 in his four overs. SRH managed a meagre three runs off the final over, highlighting the stranglehold imposed by the Gujarat Titans bowling attack.
Opting to bat first, SRH initially looked to dictate terms with an aggressive start. Travis Head, fresh from his previous heroics, kept the scoreboard ticking. However, Mayank Agarwal's struggles continued as he was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai for 16. Despite a bright start, SRH's batting lineup eventually succumbed to the spin web created by the Titans, setting a target of just 162.
SRH Falters After Head's Dismissal
Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting momentum took a sharp turn after the dismissal of their in-form opener, Travis Head. Head, fresh off his heroics in the previous match, attempted a big shot against the young Afghan spinner, Noor Ahmad, but was deceived by the wrong one and trapped plumb in front.
While Abhishek Sharma briefly reignited memories of his partnership with Head, smashing two sixes off Rashid Khan, the tide quickly shifted towards the Gujarat Titans. Noor bowled a superb first over after the powerplay, restricting SRH's scoring rate significantly. Both Afghan spinners, Noor and Rashid, operated in tandem, applying pressure and drying up the runs. A clever captaincy move by Shubman Gill, introducing Mohit Sharma in the 10th over, reaped immediate rewards. The experienced seamer dismissed the well-set Abhishek Sharma, who sliced the ball straight to Gill at extra-cover.
However, Heinrich Klaasen tried to break the shackles by charging at Noor in his final over, even managing two sixes over the midwicket boundary. But Rashid Khan proved his mastery once again, outsmarting Klaasen with a well-disguised googly in the 14th over. The South African batsman missed the delivery completely and was dismissed against the run of play. The very next over saw another crucial wicket fall for SRH. Rashid, showcasing his athleticism beyond his bowling skills, took a spectacular diving catch at long-on to dismiss Aiden Markram off a slower delivery from Yadav. This dismissal further dented SRH's batting confidence and ultimately restricted them to a modest total of 162.
GT will now face Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 4 while SRH will take on Chennai Super Kings on April 5.
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