Desk Report
Publish: 25 May 2022, 10:06 am
Hardik Pandya tightly hugged David Miller after the South African batsman led newcomers Gujarat Titans into the IPL final || Photo: Collected
Skipper Hardik Pandya on Tuesday hailed
"match-winner" David Miller after the South African batsman led
newcomers Gujarat Titans into the IPL final with a seven-wicket victory over
Rajasthan Royals.
Chasing 189 for victory in the first qualifier, Gujarat rode
an unbeaten 106-run fourth-wicket stand between Pandya (40) and Miller (68) to
achieve the target with three balls to spare in Kolkata.
With 16 needed off the final over, the left-handed Miller
smashed each of Prasidh Krishna's first three balls for six to bring the house
down at a full capacity Eden Gardens in the first qualifier.
Known as 'Killer' Miller for his big-hitting, the left-hand
batsman smashed three fours and five sixes in his 38-ball knock.
"A lot of people
counted David Miller out but for us, he was always a match-winner from the time
we brought him in the auction," Pandya said of the attacking batsman who
has been key to Gujarat's success in their debut season.
"What he did
today, we always expected him to do that. But for us, it was important to give
him importance, love, and clarity that what we expect of him and if he fails its
okay, 'it's just a game'."
Afghanistan spin
wizard Rashid Khan set up the win with figures of 0-15 that kept Rajasthan to
188-6 despite Jos Buttler's 56-ball 89.
Gujarat, one of two
new teams alongside Lucknow Super Giants in the expanded 10-team IPL, now await
their opponent for the title clash on Sunday in their home ground Ahmedabad.
The second qualifier
on Friday will decide the other finalist.
Rajasthan, who ended
second in the table topped by Gujarat, have another shot of making the finals
when they meet the winner of Wednesday's eliminator between Lucknow and Royal
Challengers Bangalore.
Chasing 189 for victory in the first qualifier, Gujarat rode
an unbeaten 106-run fourth-wicket stand between Pandya (40) and Miller (68) to
achieve the target with three balls to spare in Kolkata.
With 16 needed off the final over, the left-handed Miller
smashed each of Prasidh Krishna's first three balls for six to bring the house
down at a full capacity Eden Gardens in the first qualifier.
Known as 'Killer' Miller for his big-hitting, the left-hand
batsman smashed three fours and five sixes in his 38-ball knock.
"A lot of people
counted David Miller out but for us, he was always a match-winner from the time
we brought him in the auction," Pandya said of the attacking batsman who
has been key to Gujarat's success in their debut season.
"What he did
today, we always expected him to do that. But for us, it was important to give
him importance, love, and clarity that what we expect of him and if he fails it's
okay, 'it's just a game'."
Afghanistan spin
wizard Rashid Khan set up the win with figures of 0-15 that kept Rajasthan to
188-6 despite Jos Buttler's 56-ball 89.
Gujarat, one of two
new teams alongside Lucknow Super Giants in the expanded 10-team IPL, now await
their opponent for the title clash on Sunday in their home ground Ahmedabad.
The second qualifier
on Friday will decide the other finalist.
Rajasthan, who ended
second in the table topped by Gujarat, have another shot of making the finals
when they meet the winner of Wednesday's eliminator between Lucknow and Royal
Challengers Bangalore.
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Topic : Hardik Pandya David Miller IPL Rajasthan Royals
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