Gujarat Titans grab the top spot again in the IPL standings after another thrilling last-ball win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede. Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to field. Sunrisers lost Williamson and Tripathy early but scintillating innings from youngster Abhishek Sharma and Aiden Markram and a smashing last over cameo from Shashank Singh helped them post 195 on the board.

In reply, Wriddhiman Saha played a gem of an innings for GT. At one stage they were cruising through before Umran Malik arrived. His fiery spell almost won the game for SRH but in the end, Tewatia and Rashid Khan did their job as finishers to chase down the total.

Let’s look at the talking points of the GT vs SRH game –

Abhishek Sharma and Aiden Markram’s partnership –

Mohammed Shami was at his best with the new ball to dismiss Kane Williamson and Rahul Tripathy in his first spell. But it was Abhishek Sharma on the other hand who continued to score his runs at a very good pace. The Punjab youngster played a valuable partnership with South Africa’s Aiden Markram. Abhishek dominated Rashid Khan in this game smashing the Afgan spinner for three sixes. He scored 65 off 42 balls which included two fours and three sixes. Markram scored his second fifty in this year’s IPL. Both of them built a 96 run third-wicket partnership.

Shashank Singh’s 25 in the last over in GT vs SRH–

 After Abhishek and Markram’s dismissals, the run rate slowed down a little for SRH, and it was Shashank Singh who smashed 25 in the last over against Lockie Ferguson to help SRH reach the 195 mark. In his 6-ball 25 run knock, Shashank hit three sixes.

Wridhhiman Saha still got it –

GT’s major concern this season has been their opening slot. After Matthew Wade failed to make a mark, GT sent Wriddhiman Saha to open the batting with Shubman Gill. This time Saha showed that he is not finished yet with a 38 ball 68. Saha along with Gill put up the highest opening stand for GT this season i.e. 68.

Umran’s 5 wicket haul in GT vs SRH-

 SRH have found a real gem in Umran Malik. The 22-year-old is growing in each game and this time he almost won it for his team all by himself. No other SRH bowler could pick up a wicket where Malik turned the game by his pace. Umran dismissed Shubman Gill to break the opening stand before picking out Hardik Pandya with a fast bouncer. He finished his spell with his best figure – 5/25 in four overs. Kane Williamson praised his pace sensation saying that Malik was outstanding.

“He (Malik) has been bowling beautifully, an outstanding performance by him. If you are not on the money, the ball can fly anywhere. He (Rashid) has done it already in this tournament, and he has done it again. There’s a lot of learning for us, but with two strong sides, such things happen,” he stated.

Rashid and Tewatia – the finishers –

After Gujarat lost all their batters against Umran Malik, Rahul Teatia and Rashid Khan arrived on the scene after Malik finished his spell. It was down to Natarajan and Jansen to do the job in the death overs but Tewatia and Rashid were on song. Tewatia smashed an unbeaten 40 off 21 while Rashid won the game for GT with 31 from 11 balls. The Afgan star did not have a good game with the ball but certainly smashed two sixes in the last two balls to take his side over the line.