Titans demolish Royals, consolidate position

Press Trust Of India

Jaipur: Gujarat Titans made light work of a 119- run target set by Rajasthan Royals as the defending champions romped home with a commanding nine-wicket win in a one-sided Indian Premier League match here on Friday.

After bundling Rajasthan Royals out for a mere 118 in 17.5 overs, a 71-run resolute opening stand between Shubman Gill (36) and Wriddhiman Saha (41 not out off 34 balls) set the platform for the huge victory, which was also accomplished with captain Hardik Pandya’s brisk 15- ball 39 not out (3x4s, 3x6s). Gujarat Titans finished at 119 for one in 13.5 overs, winning with 37 balls to spare.

Gujarat Titans thus also got back to winning ways against last year’s finalists Rajasthan Royals, handing them their fourth defeat in an overall five meetings, while consolidating their position at the top of the points table. The Pandya-led side took their tally to 14 points in 10 matches with seven wins and only three losses, while Sanju Samson’s Royals remained fourth with five wins and as many loses in 10 games.

Both Saha and Gill got off the blocks quickly against RR pacer Trent Boult, hitting the leftarmer for a couple of fours each inside the powerplay, at the end of which GT were 49 for no loss. Yuzvendra Chahal got Gill stumped for a 35-ball 36 (4x4s) in the 10th over but the breakthrough had no impact on the Gujarat Titans’ juggernaut.

Pandya was severe on RR’s Adam Zampa, hitting the Australian leg-spinner for three sixes and a four to collect 24 runs in the 11th over and hasten the process. Earlier in the first half, Rajasthan Royals surrendered against the Gujarat Titans’ duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad to be bundled out for a poor total, as the two Afghan spinners shared five wickets.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals: 118 all out in 17.5 overs (Sanju Samson 30; Rashid Khan 3/14) lost to Gujarat Titans: 119/1 in 13.5 overs (Wriddhiman Saha 41 not out, Shubman Gill 36, Hardik Pandya 39 not out). by 9 wickets