Suryakumar takes down Titans with first IPL ton

Press Trust Of India

Mumbai: Suryakumar Yadav played some outrageous shots en route his maiden IPL hundred (103 not out) as his stunning knock outshone a superlative all-round show from Rashid Khan to set up Mumbai Indians’ 27-run win over Gujarat Titans here on Friday.

Invited to bat, MI posted 218 for 5 on the back of world number one T20 batter Suryakumar’s 103 not out off just 49 balls and then restricted GT to 191 for 8 to notch up their seventh win this season. This was MI’s fourth consecutive 200-plus score on their home ground.

While Suryakumar played a blinder of an innings which was studded with 11 fours and six sixes, Rohit Sharma (29), Ishan Kishan (31) and Vishnu Vinod (30) chipped in for the home side. Chasing 219, GT were in danger of being bowled out for a low total, but a brutal unbeaten 79 off just 32 balls from Rashid -- which had three fours and 10 sixes -- reduced the margin of the defeat drastically.

For Mumbai, Akash Madhwal (4-0-31-3), Kumar Kartikeya (3-0-37- 2) and veteran Piyush Chawla (4-0-36-2) produced a superb show with the ball. But the indomitable Rashid was simply unstoppable. He followed his superb bowling effort of 4/30 during the MI innings with a stunning show with the bat as he added 88 runs from just 40 balls for the unconquered ninth wicket with Alzarri Joseph (7 not out), but his effort was just not enough. GT’s fourth loss in 12 matches was their first in away games this season.

With eight wins and 16 points, they remained at the top of the table. MI’s seventh win in 12 matches thus took them back to third spot with 14 points and a net run rate of -0.117. Gujarat Titans made the worst possible start. Coming off a fine 81 in his last outing, Wriddhiman Saha played one across the line to be adjudged LBW for 2 off Madhwal, while captain Hardik Pandya (4) was caught behind off Jason Behrendorff in the third over.

The in-form Shubman Gill (6) was also beaten by the skiddy pace of Madhwal, who sent the opener’s off-stump cartwheeling. With the task of rebuilding falling on their shoulders, Miller made a cautious start while Vijay Shankar unleashed a flurry of fours.

After powerplay, GT had knocked off 48 from their target but a huge blow was dealt by Chawla, who got a googly to pass between Shankar’s bat and pad to crash into his wickets. In 14 balls, Shankar did well to hit six fours to make 29.

Kartikeya cleaned up Abhinav Manohar (2) next, leaving the visitors reeling at 55 for 5 inside eight overs. Miller (41 from 26 balls) added 45 runs for the sixth wicket with Rahul Tewatia (14) to help GT stabilise, but could not lead a comeback for his side