Gujarat Titans began their IPL journey with an exciting triumph over fellow debutants Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, with Mohammed Shami’s three wickets and Rahul Tewatia’s batting blitz.
Gujarat was in trouble at 78/4, chasing 159, but Tewatia struck an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls to help his team win by five wickets and two balls in Mumbai.
After returning scores of 3/25 to reduce Lucknow, led by KL Rahul, to 158/6, Shami set up Gujarat’s victory.
Shami shook the Lucknow top-order with three early strikes, including catching Rahul Dravid behind for naught on the opening ball of the encounter and bowling Quinton de Kock for seven runs.
Evin Lewis was returned for ten yards by Shubman Gill, who made a spectacular catch while racing backward.
Lucknow, on the other hand, responded with the fifties from Deepak Hooda (55) and Ayush Badoni (54).
Gujarat lost the chase when Pandya was bowled for 33 by his elder brother Krunal Pandya’s left-arm spin.
The wicket ended a 57-run stand with Matthew Wade, who was soon out for 30.
Gujarat’s momentum was swung back in their favor thanks to David Miller’s 30 and Tewatia’s 60 off 34 balls.
Tewatia finished the chase with his fifth four and two sixes, while partner Abhinav Manohar blasted 15 off seven balls.