IPL 2022 | GT vs RCB | Rahul Tewatia show hands Gujarat its eighth win

Death, taxes, and Gujarat Titans sealing a run-chase in the final over with Rahul Tewatia wielding his bat in the middle and letting out a guttural roar at the end of it seems to have become the new constant in this world at the moment.

On Saturday evening, we were once again reminded of it as the Hardik Pandya-led unit scripted their 5th win in the final over of a run-chase at the expense of the Royal Challengers Bangalore to grab their numero-uno spot in the points table.

Once again, it was the talk of the town, Rahul Tewatia (43* off 25) and the experienced David Miller (39* off 24), who proved to be the spearheads when it really mattered.

Chasing 171, the Titans got off to a decent start with Wriddhiman Saha (29 off 22) leading the 51-run-stand (in 7.3 overs) with Shubman Gill (31 off 28).

The problem was that Gill couldn't really get off the blocks and with the asking rate climbing, Saha had to take the initiative. In its pursuit, he eventually succumbed to Wanindu Hasaranga.

Gill had his fair share of luck when the on-field decision of caught-behind off Shahbaz Ahmed was overturned by the 3rd umpire as keeper Anuj Rawat had a part of gloves in front of the stumps while collecting the ball. It was eventually ruled 'no ball' but it didn't matter as Ahmed had Gill trapped plumb in front two balls later anyway.

Hardik didn't last long as he holed out at long-off in an attempt to take on Ahmed. Sai Sudarshan played some delightful strokes during his 14-ball 20 but was eventually dismissed by Hasaranga.

The wrist-spinner flummoxed Sudarshan with a googly.The southpaw tried to dab it but ended up getting a thick edge. Patidar almost shelled it but did well to grab it on the rebound.

At this stage, GT still needed 75 runs from the last 7 overs. Enter Rahul Tewatia, and he along with David Miller repeated the same script as they have done in previous games.

It helped that Tewatia had luck on his side as he was adjudged plumb in front after being totally beaten by a length delivery from Siraj when he was on 1, but replays showed that the ball had pitched outside leg.

From thereon, it was the Tewatia-Miller show. The duo played some disdainful strokes, none better than the cover-drive through the covers from Tewatia off Josh Hazlewood or the lofted drive Miller played off Hasaranga.

With 13 needed off 7, Tewatia landed a killer blow on RCB as he smashed Harshal Patel for a six. The finishing touches came in the finishing over, with Miller heaving Hazlewood for a disdainful four past deep midwicket before Tewatia creamed a lofted extra-cover drive for another boundary to consign RCB to their 3rd consecutive defeat.

Earlier, the Royal Challengers' rode on a brilliant 32-ball 52 from Rajat Patidar, a timely half-century from Virat Kohli (58 off 53 deliveries) and a brisk 18-ball 33 from Glenn Maxwell to post 170/6 in 20 overs.

The major talking point from RCB's innings was, of course, Virat, who ended a string of low scores with a timely 50. 

Kohli did play some vintage strokes during his knock, none better than the straight-drive off Shami in the first over or the upper-cut off Ferguson, and while it was an important knock from his perspective, it was a poor innings from the context of the game.

Kohli was helped by the fact that he had someone like Rajat Patidar, who played from breathtaking shots, especially against the pace of Ferguson, and didn't allow the pressure of not getting boundaries get to him.

Patidar also ran well between the wickets, matching Kohli's pace and ensuring that the scoreboard kept on ticking. He eventually succumbed in trying to up the ante but it was his knock that provided a sort of base for the likes of Maxwell to launch from. He stroked his maiden 50 [off just 29 deliveries], eventually finishing at 32-ball 52.

For GT, Pradeep Sangwan was the pick of the bowlers. The left-arm seamers finished with figures of 2/19 in 4, which included wickets of Patidar and Faf du Plessis, who was dismissed for a 4-ball duck.

Kohli eventually got to his 1st 50 of the season but soon perished while trying to up the scoring rate when he missed to connect with a searing yorker from Shami. Karthik also departed soon but Maxwell's 33 off 18 and late blows from Mahipal Lomror (16 off 8 deliveries) ensured that RCB got to 170.

As it turned out, it didn't prove to be enough.

Brief Scores:

Royal Challengers Bangalore 170/6 (20)

Virat Kohli 58 (53), Rajat Patidar 52 (32), Glenn Maxwell 33 (18);

Pradeep Sangwan 2/19 (4), Rashid Khan 1/29 (4)

Gujarat Titans - 174/4 (19.3)

Rahul Tewatia 43* (25), David Miller 39* (24), W Saha 29 (22); 

Wanindu Hasaranga 2/28 (4), Shahbaz Ahmed 2/26 (3)

Match Result- Gujarat Titans won by 6 wickets