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In one of the most memorable matches of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) so far, The Gujarat Titans (GT) ended Rajasthan Royals' (RR) unbeaten streak by winning a last-ball thriller by three wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 10 (Wednesday). The Titans were staring down the barrel before Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan's late blitz forced the Royals to choke under pressure.
As a result, Shubman Gill's brigade registered their third win of the tournament and brought an end to their two-game losing streak. GT now have three wins and as many losses after six matches played. On the flip side, Sanju Samson's team lost their first game of the season and now has four wins and one loss in five matches.
Gujarat's middle order falters
Chasing a daunting target of 197 runs, the Gujarat Titans needed their batters to fire in unison. Sai Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill opened the innings, giving the team a solid start with 64 runs in 9.2 overs. It seemed like they were on track for a win until Kuldeep Sen took the first wicket, dismissing Sai Sudharsan for 35 runs off 29 balls, who smashed three fours and one six.
Shubman Gill's rear-guard action keeps GT in the hunt
Shubman Gill kept the GT's innings together while wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Matthew Wade, playing his first match of the season, was bowled by Sen for just 4 runs. Sen continued his impressive bowling, dismissing Abhinav Manohar for 1 run in the 11th over. With Gujarat's target drifting further away, there were high hopes for Vijay Shankar, but he was clean bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal.
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By this time, Gill had raced to another half-century and was in fine form, hitting back-to-back fours off Chahal before being dismissed in the 16th over for 72 runs off 44 balls.
When Gill got out, Gujarat needed 65 runs from 28 balls. 'Impact Sub' Shahrukh Khan targeted Ravichandran Ashwin in the next over, hitting two fours and a six, bringing the team closer to their goal. With 35 runs needed off the last 12 balls, Shahrukh Khan was back in the pavilion, leaving Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan on the crease. Together, they pushed the score forward, with Rashid playing some good shots. The 19th over, bowled by Kuldeep Sen, was crucial for Gujarat, yielding 20 runs, making it the most important over for the team as they needed 15 runs off the last over to win.
The drama of last over
Avesh Khan came to bowl the last over with Rashid Khan on strike. Rashid hit a four off the first ball, bringing Gujarat closer to victory, needing 11 runs from 5 balls. The pressure was on Rajasthan, but then Tewatia got out. In the end, Rashid Khan hit a four with the team needing two runs off one ball, securing a thrilling 3-wicket win for Gujarat.
For the Royals, Kuldeep Sen finished with figures of 3/41 in four overs. Chahal bagged two wickets while Avesh Khan chipped in with one wicket.
Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag continue red-hot form
After being asked to bat, Rajasthan Royals rode on Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag's exceptional batting to post a challenging score of 196/3. With the Royals in a bit of bother at 43/2 in the powerplay, the Royals' two in-form batters stood tall and registered a momentum-shifting alliance. Samson scored an unbeaten 68 runs from 38 balls and Parag added 76 runs off 48 balls. The last 10 overs yielded 123 runs.
It was Parag's third half-century of the season in just five innings as he once again flourished alongside his skipper Samson. The duo stitched a partnership of 130 runs from 78 balls.
Playing his first match of the season for GT, wicket-keeper Matthew Wade missed two crucial catches and handed Parag two lifelines. From there on, Prang went on to smash five sixes.
It was Samson's third fifty of the tournament as well.
Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 24 off 19 balls before his dismissal attempting a scoop off Umesh Yadav. Jos Buttler, aiming for an expansive drive against Rashid Khan, was caught at first slip in the sixth over, marking an early loss for the Royals.
In the end, Shimron Hetmyer played a cameo of 13 not out from five balls.
Umesh, Spencer Johnson and Mohit Sharma bagged a wicket each.ย
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