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It was a brilliant batting performance by the Gujarat Titans (GT), who set an unassailable target for their opponents the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), while the bowlers, led by the experienced Mohit Sharma, took the game away from the visitors to secure a 56-run victory.
The side were set a target of 228 for the win, and the LSG batters did begin in an impressive fashion. Quinton de Kock, drafted into the Playing XI for the first time this season, returned to the team with a brilliant half-century after a strong partnership of 72 runs along with opening partner Kyle Mayers.
However, Mohit Sharma did what he does best and got the all-important breakthrough to turn the tide in his team's favour. After the wicket on Mayers, only de Kock turned out to be the main aggressor for LSG, even taking on GT's Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmed, smashing him for a couple of boundaries. The reverse sweeps were out for display as De Kock executed his shots to perfection.
His onslaught was brought to a slight halt when Mayers was dismissed by Mohit in the ninth over, thanks to a blinder of a catch by Rashid Khan. Following Mayers' wicket, De Kock formed a 26-run stand with Deepak Hooda, where he went on to complete his 20th fifty in the IPL.
After that, it was a complete collapse by the LSG batters, as the GT bowlers came back. They even managed to silence de Kock, with only Deepak Hooda (11) and Ayush Badoni (21) managing to touch double figures for their team.
In the end, Mohit managed to get all the key wickets, sending Marcus Stoinis (4), Badoni and even skipper Krunal Pandya for a Golden Duck as they secured a win to consolidate their place at the top of the league
Earlier, Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 94 and combined with Wriddhiman Saha's 81-run knock to help the Titans pile up 227 for two — the fourth-highest total this season. Th opening duo added 142 runs for the first wicket off just 12.1 overs, which is now a franchise record for the highest partnership for any wicket, as LSG had no respite despite deploying eight bowlers into the attack.
It is also the second-best stand for any team for any wicket in IPL 2023.
Saha's innings included 4 sixes and 10 fours whereas Gill opened a tad late but almost scored his maiden IPL century, hitting seven sixes and two fours in his 51-ball knock.
The in-form opener needed just 29 balls for his fourth fifty of this IPL, which came in the 12th over.
He then combined with his skipper Hardik, as the two added 42 runs for the second wicket with Gill from 23 balls.
David Miller also carried out his role to perfection at the fag end of the innings, hitting a couple of fours and a six to make 21 not out off 12 balls, while adding 43 runs for the third wicket with Gill.
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