In the 48th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Gujarat Titans (GT) completely demolished Rajasthan Royals (RR) and registered an emphatic 9-wicket victory to further strengthen their chances of qualifying in the playoffs.
The decision to bat first at their home ground in Jaipur went terribly wrong for Rajasthan as they kept losing wickets regularly to get bundled out for 118 in 17.5 overs. Captain Sanju Samson was the top-scorer for the Royals with 30 runs off 20 balls, including three fours and a six.
Rashid Khan was the chief destroyer as he wreaked havoc on a spin friendly track, taking three wickets for 14 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Apart from the Afghanistan star, Noor Ahmad, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami and Joshua Little all bagged one wicket each.
In response, the Titans began strongly with openers Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill putting up a solid partnership. Although Shubman Gill fell for 36 runs, GT captain Hardik, who came in next, played a blistering innings of 39 runs off just 15 balls, smashing three fours and three sixes. Wriddhiman Saha remained unbeaten on 41 runs off 34 balls with five fours, as Gujarat won the match by 9 wickets in just 13.5 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐏 𝐍𝐎. 7️⃣💙💙💙💙💙💙💙#RRvGT | #AavaDe | #TATAIPL 2023 pic.twitter.com/Ai79qknDzj
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 5, 2023
Big players always come back with vengeance @rashidkhan_19 was like wounded tiger today against RR. Best in the business.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 5, 2023
Great gesture this from @rashidkhan_19 🤗👏🏻#TATAIPL | #RRvGT pic.twitter.com/zWiTjvhqoF
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 5, 2023
Has any team beaten Gujarat Titans comprehensively this season?🤨 I only remember last-over finishes. This speaks a lot about the complete unit they developed under Hardik Pandya. A lot of credit to Nehra Ji and Gary Kirsten. pic.twitter.com/Q6AtQ5gcBn
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) May 5, 2023
Biggest win by Gujarat Titans
by wickets: 9 v RR, today
by balls remaining: 37 v RR, today— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) May 5, 2023
An easy win for Gujarat Titans: https://t.co/NBOmgPJsmv#cricket #ipl2023 #RRvGT #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Bzdfi9uFmH
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 5, 2023
All things considered, this has been an absolute shocker from Rajasthan Royals. The kind that can potentially cost you on NRR in a very tight table. #IPL2023 #RRvsGT
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) May 5, 2023
Gujarat Titans back to winning ways work an emphatic 9 wicket win in 13.5 overs!
Captain, Hardik Pandya with 39* off just 15#IPL2023
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) May 5, 2023
Gujarat Titans have defeated Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
What a knock by Hardik – 39* in just 15 balls. GT won with 37 balls to spare – the biggest win in IPL 2023. pic.twitter.com/Yul8YgUcAv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 5, 2023
Biggest win margins (by wickets) by Gujarat Titans :-
by 9 wkts – vs RR today
by 7 wkts – vs CSK in 2022
by 7 wkts – vs RR in 2022
by 7 wkts – vs RR in 2022
by 7 wkts – vs KKR in 2023#IPL2023 #RRvGT— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@rhitankar8616) May 5, 2023
Gujarat Titans hv some kind of cheat code of ipl😬 #RRvGT
— Kunaaal_here (@KingDop15813815) May 5, 2023