Gujarat Titans storm into IPL playoffs after seeing off Lucknow Super Giants

Hardik Pandya's side complete the double in the battle of the new sides to secure a top-four berth and put one foot in Qualifier 1

The Cricketer | 10/05/2022 at 20:17

Pune: Gujarat Titans 144-4, Lucknow Super Giants - Gujarat Titans won by 62 runs

Scorecard

Gujarat Titans became the first side to book a place in the Indian Premier League playoffs after completing the double over fellow newcomers Lucknow Super Giants in Pune.

Hardik Pandya's side climbed back to the top of the table after securing a handsome 62-run victory, bouncing back after the shock defeat to Mumbai Indians.

In a low-scoring game, player of the match Shubman Gill's 63* proved decisive as he batted through the innings.

David Miller hit 26 and Rahul Tewatia 22* but it was a less than convincing score of 144 for 4 they had to defend.

But the loss of Quinton de Kock (11), KL Rahul (8), Karun Sharma (4) inside the powerplay of the chase swung the balance of power back the way of the Titans.

Rashid Khan hasn't always had things all his own way this year but he came good with his best figures of the competition of 4 for 24.

The Afghanistan leg-spinner captured the dangerous Deepak Hooda (27), allrounder Krunal Pandya (5) and Jason Holder (1) and Avesh Khan (12) during a vintage display.

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^{Shubman Gill's half-century made a big difference (BCCI)}

From losing their top four in 7.3 overs, the Super Giants never recovered and were bowled out before the end of the 14th over for just 82, their lowest ever IPL total.

The result moves Titans onto 18 points and as well as their passage into the last four they have one foot in Qualifier 1.

Though they can be mathematically caught by Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore the remaining fixtures means just a single win from their final two games might be enough.

Titans face RCB in their final match on May 19 while Super Giants take on Royals on May 15.

"Really proud of the boys," said skipper Pandya. "When we started this journey together, we obviously believed in ourselves, but before the 14th game to have qualified, it's a great effort and really proud of us.

"Last game, I spoke to the boys before going, I think we that that game was already over before it was over. That was a learning which we took.

"I think all the games that we've won, we were always under pressure. The last game was the only game that we were ahead of the game and we knew the kind of batters we have and we'll finish it off. But it did not happen."