Gujarat Titans became the first team this year to qualify for the playoffs in the Indian Premier League. In 2016, Gujarat Lions became the first team to qualify for the playoffs being the debutants, now it’s Titans from the same state kept that tradition. Hardik Pandya’s side now got two wins from two against the other newcomer to the competition i.e. Lucknow Super Giants.

GT won the toss and elected to bat first. Shubman’s classy innings of unbeaten 63 helped them reach a competitive total of 144. Coming out to chase, Super Giants batters collapsed against the quality bowling attack, especially against Rashid Khan. The Afgan spinner put his best performance this year. LSG got all out for 82, their lowest total this year. Hardik praised his teammate Shubman for his batting effort.

“The way everyone batted, especially Shubman, I felt with 145 we were in the game. Their bowling, I think they were a little too short. A little fuller length was working. So that was the chat in the group as well. The only two shots they can score runs are cover drive, if you bowl really full, or if you give width. The bowlers did everything they’re supposed to do and we ticked all the boxes,” he said.

Let’s look at the talking points from GT vs LSG game–

Shubman Gill’s match-winning knock in the GT Vs LSG match

It was not a good day for the batters apart from one I.e. Shubman Gill. The GT opener has not been the most consistent this year. In the last game against MI, he scored a brilliant fifty but that effort went in vain as his team lost. Against LSG, the 22-year-old played a sensible inning of 63 off 49 balls and remained unbeaten till the end. It was his knock that gave GT a chance in the game after they posted 144 on the board.

Poor season for Matthew Wade continues

The number three spot has been a real worry for the table toppers. In this game, they brought in Matthew Wade to play there, but the Aussie wicket-keeper batsman failed to get going once again and departed for just 10. With the qualification now guaranteed, GT have to sort out that position as soon as possible.

 Another economical spell from Mohsin Khan

One of the key factors behind LSG’s success so far this season is the young Uttar Pradesh fast bowler Mohsin Khan. The left-arm pacer knocked out in form Wriddhiman Saha and gave away just 18 runs from his spell. It was his 9^th wicket overall in this season’s IPL, and he has an economy of 5.17.

Rashid Khan at his best in GT Vs LSG

Defending only 144, GT needed their bowlers to fire in this match, which is exactly what they did. Especially the Afgan star Rashid Khan who picked up four wickets to rattle past LSG batting giving away 24 runs. It was his best figures this year.

 R Sai Kishore impressive

It was a great call from the skipper, Hardik Pandya, to include the left-arm spinner in his first XI. Sai Kishore picked up two wickets from his two overs with an economy of 3.50. Another find from the Titans.