Shubman Gill masterclass gives Gujarat second win of the season

Shubman Gill masterclass gives Gujarat second win of the season

The Gujarat Titans became the second team in the IPL after Rajasthan to win both their opening games and successfully defend a total this season following their comprehensive 14-run win over the Delhi Capitals at the MCA Stadium in Pune. A majestic 84 off 46 deliveries from Shubman Gill took the Titans to a competitive first-innings total of 171 before four wickets for Lockie Ferguson helped Hardik Pandya’s side make it two from two to begin their campaign.

Having lost the toss and put in to bat by Rishabh Pant, the Titans made a poor start in the powerplay as Mustafizur Rahman removed Matthew Wade in the first over of the innings before number three Vijay Shankar perished after a scratchy 13 off 20 deliveries. Fortunately for Gujarat, Shubman Gill got off to a flying start and provided the innings with some much-needed momentum at the top of the order. Gill capitalised on some freebies served up by Shardul Thakur and went particularly hard against the Delhi spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel – who he demolished for four sixes in his innings.

Gill brought up his half-century off just 32 deliveries and raced his way to an IPL career-best score off 84 from 46 balls before holing out to deep mid-wicket against Khaleel Ahmed. Gill batted at an incredible strike rate of 182 despite the slight two-paced nature of the wicket, and his blistering knock allowed Rahul Tewatia and David Miller to score some quick runs at the death to propel the Titans to a total of 171.

The Delhi Capitals lost three wickets in the powerplay in their opening game of the season against the Mumbai Indians, and Rishabh Pant’s side suffered the same fate against the Titans, with Tim Seifert, Prithvi Shaw and Mandeep Singh departing inside the first five overs. Hardik Pandya had the Kiwi keeper caught at mid-wicket off his first ball before Lockie Ferguson dismissed Shaw and Singh in the same over due to his extra pace and bounce. Delhi rebuilt their innings with Rishabh Pant and Lalit Yadav adding an important 61-run partnership but the all-rounder’s run-out in the 12th over caused another twist in the tale.

Rishabh Pant batted excellently for his 43 off 29, but the captain misguided a pull-shot to fine leg off the bowling of Lockie Ferguson, and the Kiwi managed to pick up another scalp in the same over, getting Axar Patel to tickle one down the leg-side to Matthew Wade to leave Delhi reeling at 126 for six. The Capitals’ run chase never recovered from that double-strike, and the Titans comfortably romped to their second win of the season by 14 runs.S