Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The 24th match of IPL 2022 is witnessing Rajasthan Royals taking on Gujarat Titans at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. RR captain Sanju Samson opted to bowl first after winning the toss. With Trent Boult missing, Gujarat were supposed to start well but the opposite happened. RR got an early breakthrough in the second over of GT innings as Matthew Wade lost his wicket to miscommunication with his partner.
Another blow came GT's way as Vijay Shankar fell chasing a wide delivery from youngster Kuldeep Sen. However, captain Hardik Pandya counter-attacked with some glorious shots. Seeing the two batters, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, getting aggressive, Sanju Samson called Riyan Parag into the attack.
It looked like a strange decision to bring in a part-time bowler inside the powerplay. On the first three balls, it seemed the tactics has backfired as Pandya and Gill collected 11 runs off three balls. But in the fourth ball of the over, Parag got Shubman Gill caught out at the long-on fence. This came as a surprise to many as Gill was looking good. Parag also knew the importance of the wicket he just took and thus he started celebrating vigorously after the dismissal.
Watch Parag's celebration here:
Hardik-Manohar stabilize GT innings
After losing early wickets, Gujarat captain Hardik Pandya and Abhinav Manohar did a good job to keep RR bowlers devoid of wickets. The duo put on an 86-run stand for the fourth wicket. While Abhinav Manohar departed after scoring a brilliant 43 off 28 balls, Hardik Pandya continued the onslaught.
The Gujarat skipper paced his innings really well as he scored his second half-century of the season in 33 balls. The batter showed great temperament. He walked out to bat when GT were 15/2. He formed partnerships and played throughout the innings. Pandya finished the innings with a score of 87* off 52 balls. He hit eight fours and four sixes in his innings.