Gujarat Titans (GT) have confirmed a place in the top two of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) after a seven-wicket rout of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. GT reached the target of 134 with five balls remaining with Wriddhiman Saha leading the way with an unbeaten knock of 67 in 57 balls.
Earlier, CSK had won the toss and chose to bat but never got going. Opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad led the way despite wickets falling around him and made a half-century albeit at a low strike-rate. Mohammed Shami was the star of the show for GT with a two-wicket haul that saw him concede just 19 runs in four overs.
Apart from Ruturaj’s knock of 53 in 49 balls, N Jagadeesan impressed on his first appearance of the season with a 33-ball 39. Mooen Ali looked in fine touch and smashed two sixes in a row off star leg-spinner Rashid Khan but was dismissed after making just 21 runs in 17 balls. For GT, Rashid, Sai Kishore, and Alzarri Joseph took one wicket each.
Saha put up a 59-run stand with Shubman Gill to take the game away from CSK’s grasps. Gill fell victim to ‘Baby Malinga’ Matheesha Pathirna’s first delivery on his debut. The young Sri Lankan pacer later dismissed GT skipper Hardik Pandya for a paltry score of just 7. Moeen also got his name on the wicket-taker list by dismissing Matthew Wade. However, Saha and David Miller ensured the Titans get home without any scare.
GT will now have two chances to make the final as they are guaranteed to play the first Qualifier (Q1). They are also assured to play a game at their home venue of Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. If they win the Q1, they will play the summit clash at the venue on May 29. If they lose, GT will take the field at the iconic stadium for the second Qualifier.
The first qualifier will take place Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on May 24. However, it is not yet known who will face them. A win for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Sunday evening’s clash vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) will secure their spot in the top-two.
