IPL 2022: GT captain Hardik Pandya is team amulet in win over Royals
IPL 2022 Then Buttler blitz is cut short GT surged to their fourth win in five games as skipper Hardik Pandya’s 87 sets up a complete crushing of RR.
IPL 2022 Hardik Pandya and Abhinav Manohar guided Gujarat Titans to 192 after another shaky start. And Lockie Ferguson’s slower yorker restricted Jos Buttler’s blitz to the Powerplay as Rajasthan Royals fell short by 37 runs.
GT’s top order fails once more.
Matthew Wade’s struggles with the bat have resulted in GT having the lowest opening partnership average this IPL – 14.80. However, the left-hander got a complete first inning against Jimmy Neesham instead of fronting the swing of the injured Trent Boult, who seated out the game. Wade helped himself to 3 fours in the Neesham over after getting hit-me deliveries on the pads and wide outside off. It appeared like if this was the night GT’s opening stand would weigh in from both ends for a change.
However, GT would manage to go three down within an over after the Powerplay. Wade was run out two balls after launching into Neesham by a direct hit from Rassie van der Dussen.
Hardik, Abhinav is on fire.
He is out of his reassurance zone on all fronts this season. In his bid to assemble an India comeback. He has his first captaincy stint, a new batting position, and bowls four overs in every game. With the top order unable to form partnerships. He’s had to carry the innings, and as a result, his strike rate was 122.60 heading into this game; additionally, he’d hit just two sixes from 115 deliveries.
On Thursday, however, he appeared in a different mood. Hardik tennis-forehanded down the ground for four on Kuldeep Sen’s second pace ball. The next one was cut over point for four more, and the next one was cut for a thick edge to the fine 3rd-man rope.
