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'Hum Hamesha Top Pe Rahenge': Gujarat survive Andre Russell scare to claim sixth win in Indian T20 League 2022

Gujarat beat Kolkata by 8 runs on Saturday to return to the top of the points table in the Indian T20 League 2022

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Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans: (Image Source: BCCI/IPL)

Needing 18 runs in the final over with Andre Russell at the crease, the 35th match between Kolkata and Gujarat was evenly poised till the final over. Russell hit the first ball for a big maximum, leaving the equation to 12 needed off 5. However, Joseph bounced back brilliantly as he sent Russell back to the hut on the very next ball. Once Russell got out, it was all but over for Kolkata. In the end, Shreyas Iyer and Co. fell 8 runs short of the target.

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Chasing a par score of 156 runs at IS Bindra Stadium, where there is help for the pacers, Kolkata sent Sam Billings and Sunil Narine to open the innings. However, the ploy didn’t work out as both of them got out inside the first three overs. Shami had Billings caught behind the wickets, while Narine flicked the ball straight to Lockie Ferguson in the 3rd over.

Nitish Rana got the faintest of edges through to the keeper off Ferguson in the 5th over to leave Kolkata in trouble at 16 for 3 in 4.2 overs. Shreyas Iyer never looked comfortable against the short deliveries bowled by Gujarat pacers. Yash Dayal eventually had him in the 7th over to further dent the opposition.

Gujarat kept piling the pressure on by picking wickets consistently. Kolkata lost their 7th wicket at 108 after 15.2 overs but Andre Russel was still at the crease. He, once again, played a stellar knock of 48 runs in 25 balls, including 1 four and 6 sixes to keep the hopes alive. However, he couldn't get the team home in the end.

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Earlier, Gujarat managed to score 156 runs in the first innings. Tim Southee started off beautifully as he accounted for the wicket of S Gill in just the second over of the innings. However, Hardik Pandya then joined hands with W Saha and the duo stitched a valiant 79-run partnership for the second wicket.

Knowing that they don’t have a lot of depth in the batting line-up, Hardik Pandya didn’t take a lot of risks but ensured he kept scoring boundaries regularly. Though, he didn’t receive great support from Saha.

The latter struggled his way to 25 off 25 balls. Pandya, however, played a handy knock of 67 runs in 49 balls, a knock which was laced with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Till the 16 overs, Gujarat were pretty well placed at 132 for 2.

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However, Gujarat lost the plot from thereon. Shivam Mavi had Miller (27 off 20) in the 17th over and Southee then accounted for the wicket of Pandya in the very next over to leave the team in trouble. Gujarat could only score 24 runs in the last four overs. Andre Russell bowled the final over and picked 4 wickets. Gujarat, in the end, managed 156 in 20 overs.

Meanwhile, the fans went ecstatic after witnessing Gujarat return to the top of the points table. Here's a look at the reactions, following their 6th win in the tournament.

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Cricket News IPL 2023 Kolkata Knight Riders Gujarat Titans Hardik Pandya Andre Russell Twitter Reactions