IPL 2023, DC vs GT: Bowlers' Brilliance & Sudharsan-Miller Stand Lead GT To a Clinical Win
Gujarat Titans recorded a thumping win over Delhi Capitals [Source: AP]
The seventh match of the IPL 2023 saw Gujarat Titans annihilate Delhi Capitals by six wickets in a fascinating clash in Delhi. The Titans dethroned Rajasthan Royals to acquire the top spot in the IPL 2023 points table.
Axar Patel's cameo helps DC post a respectable total
Mohammad Shami recorded a spectacular three-fer [Source: AP]
After being invited to bat first, Delhi Capitals got off to a disastrous start, losing Prithvi Shaw and Mitchell Marsh cheaply to Mohammad Shami.
Although David Warner tried his best to steady the ship, Alzarri Joseph cleaned him up to push the hosts on the back foot. If that wasn't enough, the Caribbean speedster surprised Rilee Rossouw with a snorter, dismissing him for a first-ball duck.
After the early collapse, Sarfaraz Khan and debutant Abhishek Porel resurrected the Capitals' innings, adding 34 runs for the fifth wicket. However, things went downhill once again for DC with the arrival of spin maestro Rashid Khan, who broke their back with timely breakthroughs.
But fortunately for DC, all-rounder Axar Patel unleashed his beast mode to rescue them from a precarious position, helping them cross the 160-run mark with a priceless cameo of 36 runs.
For the Titans, Shami and Rashid scalped three wickets each, while Joseph picked two wickets.
Sudharsan-Miller partnership seizes the day for GT
Sai Sudharsan starred with the bat for Gujarat Titans [Source: AP]
In response, Gujarat Titans had a brisk start, with Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill adding 22 runs in just two overs. However, David Warner's decision to introduce Anrich Nortje proved to be a masterstroke as the Proteas speedster removed both the openers in quick succession.
Skipper Hardik Pandya continued his poor run, being dismissed by DC's impact player Khaleel Ahmed for five in the sixth over.
However, young batter Sai Sudharsan and impact player Vijay Shankar stitched a crucial stand of 53 runs before the latter was dismissed for a well-compiled 23-ball 29. After Shankar's departure, David Miller (31* off 16) took all DC bowlers to the cleaners to ensure a clinical six-wicket win for the Titans.
Meanwhile, Sudharsan completed his second IPL fifty, remaining unbeaten on a fabulous 48-ball 62*.
Brief Scores
Delhi Capitals: 162/8 (20)
David Warner 37 (32), Axar Patel 36 (22);
Rashid Khan 3/31 (4), Mohammad Shami 3/41 (4)
Gujarat Titans: 163/4 (18.1)
Sai Sudharsan 62* (48), David Miller 31* (16)
Anrich Nortje 2/39 (4), Mitchell Marsh 1/24 (3.1)
Gujarat Titans won by six wickets.
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