Gujarat Titans showed their dominance at home as they beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by four wickets in the 41st match of the Indian Premier League. Royal Challengers Bengaluru were batting first and started really well with Virat Kohli going all guns blazing. Gujarat Titans bounced back strongly and kept picking up wickets and ensured that RCB were bowled out for 155. Chasing the target, Shubman Gill got off to a flier and ensured that Gujarat TItans were well ahead in the game. They chased down the target quite comfortably and picked up another win at home.
Jos Buttler: (What did you make of the surface?) A really good batting surface. I think the bowlers deserve a lot of credit there. And one of the biggest differences, I think, for us is taking our catches today. (With the new ball, it did dip around a bit, didn't it?) It did. There was a bit in it. Some fantastic bowlers on show, obviously, with the new ball. Siraj and Rabada have been great for us and obviously in the opposition as well. So Shubman talked about trying to put them off their lengths because they're such good bowlers. So credit to him for going and doing that.(Talk us through what your initial plans were and what happened when you got dismissed?) Yeah, I think initially, as I've said, they're such good bowlers, they're so accurate. Those guys are trying to change their lengths, put them off their lines. When I got dismissed, got a bit greedy there. I had a big gap at mid-wicket. So trying to expose that, and nice piece of bowling from Bhuvi. We spoke about it before the match. So like you said, when your leader goes out there and does exactly what he spoke about, so calmly, so clinically, against a top bowler, I think that gave a lot of confidence and broke the back of the chase very early. (Big two points this at a crucial stage in the IPL?) Yeah, massive two points for us. We're in that scenario where we need to hold on to those guys ahead of us, and we play a lot of them as well. So, massive time in the tournament and a really important win today.
Rajat Patidar | RCB captain:
I think the score was not good enough, but I think the way we bowled and stretched it to 15, 16 overs, I think that's a positive sign for us. (The pitch had something for the bowlers there)? Definitely, there's a good cover of the grass on the surface that helped fast bowlers. And as I said, I think the way Shubman played, I think he played beautifully in the power play. And he put the pressure on us, but the way we came back and stretched till 16th over, I think that's a positive. (What were the learnings from this experience?) I think it's pretty clear. I think we gave a lot of wickets in the middle and that kept us on the back seat. (The positive sign is that you just gave the purple cap to Bhuvaneshwar Kumar?) As we all know, I think he's an experienced bowler of T20 format and the way he bowled in the first half, I think that is incredible. But I think it's a long way and we'll take one game at a time. There's bound to be a hiccup on the way. (You're still very well placed on the table?) Definitely, but we are not looking at it on the table, our aim is to play a good cricket.
Shubman Gill | GT captain:
Feels very satisfying. On a wicket to restrict a team like them to 155 is very nice. At times we haven't fielded as well, but today the energy was quite high after the 2nd over. I was just feeling I was in the zone. First ball I got a bit lucky and then I thought today was my day. I was confident of taking the bowling on. (on Tewatia) He is a very important player for us. That was one of the conversations we had in the timeout. He got some nice runs and everyone got a hit in the middle.
Jason Holder | Player of the Match:
It was one of those nights. The energy was quite high and credit to KG and Siraj for bowling in the powerplay that well. I did see him, hoping I didn't run into him. I had an eye on him. My biggest thing was to get there. I welcome it as it comes. Just happy to hold on to the chances and happy to help the team win. The way this franchise operates is very nice. It's about having an open mind and being switched on and being able to execute.
Gujarat Titans with back to back wins in their last few games are now placed fifth in the points table with five wins in nine matches. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru were not upto the mark in all facets tonight and will be keen to bounce back. It was a dominating win for Gujarat Titans at home.
