Rashid’s late heroics help GT win by 3 wickets vs RR: In a gripping encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Rashid Khan’s rapid 24-run contribution, coupled with skipper Shubman Gill’s commanding half-century, propelled the Gujarat Titans to a thrilling three-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals.
The Titans’ pursuit of 197 runs began steadily, with openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan maintaining a run rate of over one per ball in the initial four overs. However, with 171 runs still needed from the remaining 16 overs, they required a momentum boost. Ending the powerplay at 44 without loss, the Titans were in search of acceleration.
Sai Sudarshan kickstarted the eighth over with two exquisite boundaries, executing back-foot punches off Yuzvendra Chahal’s deliveries. The first found the gap to the right of deep midwicket, while the second pierced the sweeper cover region. The fourth delivery, another back-foot punch, presented a tough reflex catch opportunity for Chahal, but the ball eluded his grasp, falling back to the bowler.
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The Titans found themselves at 63 without loss after eight overs, with the openers laying a solid foundation, albeit without explosive overs. In the ninth over, Kuldeep Sen, introduced into the attack, broke through by dismissing Sudarshan, who was adjudged lbw after a review. Sudarshan departed for a well-played 35 off 29 deliveries.
Sen continued his impact in the following over, accounting for two more wickets in quick succession. First, he dislodged Matthew Wade’s stumps for just 4 runs, and then breached Abhinav Mankhar’s defense, sending him back for a paltry score of 1. With the loss of these key wickets, the Titans were at 79 for 3 in 10.4 overs, even as Shubman Gill reached his half-century off 35 balls in the 14th over.
Despite Gill’s valiant effort, the Titans still required 93 runs from 41 deliveries. However, Gill’s dismissal for 72 off 44 balls in the 16th over, courtesy of Yuzvendra Chahal’s sharp bowling, added pressure to the Titans’ chase. With 64 runs needed off 28 balls, Chahal ended his spell with figures of 2 for 43.
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In the 18th over, Avesh Khan accounted for Shahrukh Khan’s wicket, leaving the Titans with 40 runs to get off 15 balls. As the equation tightened, Sen was entrusted with the 19th over. Despite a nine-ball over that included extras and boundaries, Titans’ Rahul Tewatia managed crucial hits, setting up a tense final over.
With 15 runs required off the last over, Avesh Khan had the daunting task of defending the total with only four fielders outside the circle due to a time penalty. Rashid Khan’s boundary off a low full-toss and a missed run attempt by Tewatia added to the drama. With two runs needed off the final ball, Rashid Khan sealed the victory for the Titans with a boundary through covers, clinching a remarkable three-wicket win.
The breathtaking performance unfolded with Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia leading the charge, exhibiting their batting prowess to edge the Gujarat Titans tantalizingly close to an unlikely triumph. Tewatia’s brave innings concluded on the penultimate delivery, placing Rashid Khan in the spotlight with just 2 runs required off the final ball.
Under immense pressure, Rashid Khan embraced the challenge, delivering a stunning boundary to clinch a remarkable victory for the Gujarat Titans. This triumph not only shattered the Rajasthan Royals’ stronghold in Jaipur but also marked their first defeat of the season.
At the onset of the match, the Rajasthan Royals set a formidable target, posting 196/3 on the scoreboard in their allocated 20 overs, propelled by outstanding performances from Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. Samson’s captain’s innings saw him unbeaten at 68 off just 38 deliveries, complemented by Parag’s explosive 76 off 48 balls. Shimron Hetmyer’s quickfire 13 off 5 balls further bolstered the Royals’ imposing total.
In reply, the Gujarat Titans began their chase on a promising note, only to lose their first wicket in the 9th over, as Sai Sudharsan departed after a solid contribution of 35 off 29 balls. Shubman Gill then took charge, steering the innings with a superb 72 off 44 balls. However, his dismissal in the 16th over left the Titans in dire straits, requiring a miraculous turnaround to salvage the match.
Here comes Rashid Khan, the sensational Afghan cricketer, who completely altered the course of the game with a spectacular exhibition of power-hitting, steering the Gujarat Titans to a sensational victory against formidable odds. The electrifying conclusion not only delivered nail-biting excitement but also highlighted the unpredictable and exhilarating essence of T20 cricket, captivating fans and experts alike with its thrilling drama.
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