GT vs DC Review – Gujarat continue their winning streak
Gujarat Titans registered an easy six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the seventh match of the Indian Premier League 2023 on April 4. Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami shone with a ball to restrict the Capitals to just 162/8 while bowling first. Then the young batter Sai Sudharsan recorded a brilliant unbeaten fifty to help the Titans chase the target with 11 balls to spare.
Gujarat bowlers strangle Delhi
Hardik Pandya won the toss for Gujarat Titans and elected to bowl first at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Shami gave the Titans a flying start with the early wickets of Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh. Captain David Warner and Sarfaraz Khan tried to add stability with a 30-run stand for the third wicket. But West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph shifted the momentum towards the Titans with two big wickets in the ninth over.
Joseph first bowled out Warner, who top-scored with 37 off 32, and then removed Rilee Rossouw on the next delivery as Rahul Tewatia took a stunning catch at point. Sarfaraz Khan and Abishek Porel tried to fight back in the middle overs with small but crucial innings. But it was Axar Patel’s cameo of 36 off 22 which helped the Capitals score 162/8. Rashid Khan and Shami took three wickets each while Joseph picked two for the Titans.
Sudharsan-Miller complete the chase
Compared to the Capitals, Titans’ openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha looked confident in the chase. But the returning Anrich Nortje bowled out both the openers in the third and fifth over to balance the game. As expected, Khaleel Ahmed came in as an impact player and made an instant impact by picking Hardik’s wicket in the sixth over.
Sai Sudharsan then shifted the momentum with a crucial 53-run stand for the fourth wicket with Vijay Shankar. Marsh broke the partnership with Shankar’s wicket in the 14th over to put the Capitals in driving seat for the first time.
But Sudharsan smashed an unbeaten 62* off 48 and returning star David Miller added 31* off 16 to chase the target in just 18.1 overs. With a win, Gujarat jumped to the top of the points table while the Capitals remain in the ninth position with two defeats.
Top performers from the match:
Rashid Khan: The star Afghanistan spinner bowled a sensational spell of 3 for 31. He took crucial wickets of Sarfaraz and Porel when both the batters were dominating the middle overs. Rashid conceded just nine runs with another wicket in the 19th over to complete his three-wicket haul.
Sai Sudharsan: The young left-handed batter was impressive as an impact player in the first game and was promoted to playing eleven in this game. He took this opportunity with open arms and smashed a brilliant half-century to display his potential.
What’s next for both teams?
Gujarat Titans face Kolkata Knight Riders in their next game on April 9 at home while Delhi Capitals look forward to their first win of this season in their next game against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on April 8.
