Half-centuries by Rajasthan Royals captain and batter Shimron Hetmyer helped their side to defeat opponents Gujarat Titans by three wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. GT finished 177 for 7 on the scoreboard after 20 overs.
Sanju Samson- RR captain who won the toss chose to bowl first. Gujarat Titans had an energetic start with pacer Trent Boult getting rid of Wriddhiman Saha in the first over itself. The dramatic catch missed by Samson, Shimron, and Dhruv Jurel successfully landed in the hands of Trent Boult. Samson hit 60 runs off 39 balls smashing three boundaries and 6 maximums. Hetmyer remained unbeaten on 56 runs off 26 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes.
Jos Butler exited B Sai Sudharshan despite a good start. Later Subham Gill formed a crucial59 partnership with captain Pandya before Yuzvendra Chahal struck to send Pandya back to the pavilion. Pandya scored 28 runs off 19 balls hitting the boundary thrice and off the ropes once. Subham Gill who failed to complete his third fifty of IPL 2023 was thrown out at 46 runs off 34 balls.
The second innings started in a phenomenal pattern with Pandya dismissing Yashavi Jaiswal for just one run. The hammer blow for RR was struck by Mohammed Shami by getting rid of dangerous Jos Butler cleaning him up for a duck in the third over, leaving RR reeling at 4 for 2.
With this win, RR held the top position in the 2023 IPL points table with 4 wins in 5 matches. After losing against RR, GT will turn their focus toward Lucknow Super Giants, with the two sides set to lock horns at the Ekana Stadium on April 22.