Rajasthan somehow scored 188 for six in 20 overs despite the continuous fall of wickets. In reply, Gujarat won the last over in a thrilling match. He won the match by scoring 191 runs for three wickets in 19.3 overs.
12 February 2022 was the first day of IPL auction. David Miller’s name surfaced and no one bid. Even his old team Rajasthan Royals did not show interest in him. Due to the presence of 10 teams, it seemed that Miller would definitely find some buyer, but it did not happen. His name appeared again the next day. Miller’s base price was Rs 1 crore and Gujarat Titans bought him for 3 crores. Rajasthan this time allowed Miller to go to Gujarat after bidding up to 2.80 crores.
Now what did Rajasthan know at that time that the player they will not buy will wash them in the playoffs. Miller was a member of the Rajasthan team last season. This franchise is dreaming of playing the first final after 2008. Killer Miller’s blistering knock in Qualifier 1 prevented him from reaching the final. Now the team will have to play in the second qualifier on May 27 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Where he will face Lucknow Super Giants or Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Talking about Qualifier-1, Gujarat won the toss and decided to bowl first. Rajasthan somehow scored 188 for six in 20 overs despite the continuous fall of wickets. For that Jos Buttler scored 89 runs in 56 balls. In reply, Gujarat won the last over in a thrilling match. He won the match by scoring 191 runs for three wickets in 19.3 overs. David Miller remained unbeaten on 68 off 38 balls and Hardik Pandya on 40 off 27 balls.
Turning point in the match
Partnership of Gill and Wade: Gujarat got the first blow on the second ball of the first over. Wriddhiman Saha was dismissed by Trent Boult without opening the account. It looked like the Rajasthan bowlers had come down to wreak havoc in this match, but Shubman Gill and Matthew Wade were in a different mood. Both counter-attacked the Rajasthan bowlers. The two put on a quick 72-run partnership. By the time Gill was dismissed in 7.4 overs, the score had reached 72 runs. Gill scored 35 off 21 balls and Wade made 35 off 30 balls.
Miller and Hardik finish: If there is any strongest pair in the Gujarat team, it is Hardik and Miller. Both have long standing experience in international cricket. Both took advantage of this experience. At first, runs were scored comfortably. Once he got ticked, he also scored runs fast. Hardik opened his hand first and then Miller. Both shared an unbeaten 106 runs partnership. Miller then hit three consecutive sixes off the famous Krishna in the last over and won the match.
How has been the performance of both the captains?
Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya made similar performances in batting. Both of them did the job of saving wickets as well as scoring runs after the fall of the wicket. Samson played an innings of 47 runs off 26 balls. During this his strike rate was 180.77. Samson hit five fours and three sixes. On the other hand, Hardik scored an unbeaten 40 off 27 balls to finish the match.
What happened in the match for Rajasthan Royals?
Prospects: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Devdutt Padikkal did well with the bat. Buttler scored 89, Samson 47 and Padikkal 28 runs in 20 balls. In the bowling, Yuzvendra Chahal kept the opposition batsmen tied and gave only 32 runs in four overs.
Downside: There have been more negatives than positives for the team in this match. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer failed in the batting. Riyan Parag and Ashwin got less chances. Jaiswal was dismissed for three off eight balls and Hetmyer four off seven balls. Everyone got smashed except Chahal in the bowling. Bolt and Obed McCoy got a breakthrough each, but they also conceded runs. Boult gave 38 runs in four overs and McCoy gave 40 runs in four overs. This match was a forgettable one for the famous Krishna. He could not save 16 runs in the last over. Got three sixes in a row. 40 runs in 3.3 overs. Ashwin conceded 40 runs in four overs.
What happened in the match for Gujarat?
Prospects: In bowling, Rashid Khan has once again proved why he is considered the best spinner in T20Is. Rashid conceded just 15 runs in four overs. Hardik Pandya took one wicket for 14 runs in two overs. With the bat, Shubman Gill and Matthew Wade did a good job in difficult times and shared a 72-run partnership after the fall of one wicket. Shubman made 35 off 21 balls and Wade scored 35 runs in 30 balls. Hardik and Miller finished the match brilliantly.
Downside: The matter of concern for Gujarat in this match was its strong bowling. All proved costly except Rashid and Hardik. Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal and Sai Kishore got one success each, but all three looted runs. Shami 43 in four overs, Dayal 46 in four overs, Alzarri Joseph 27 in two overs, Sai Kishore 43 runs in four overs. If this type of bowling continues in the final, then problems will arise for Gujarat. Captain Hardik Pandya needs to do more work in the bowling department.
