IPL 2022 | Chennai ‘Swaha’ in Saha’s half-century; Gujarat wins easily

Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings in IPL Chasing Chennai’s 134-run target, Gujarat lost just three wickets with five balls to spare. Wriddhiman Saha’s half-century (67 * off 57 balls) helped Gujarat to a comfortable victory. Mathisa Pathirana, popularly known as ‘Junior Malinga’, took two wickets for Chennai.

With the win, Gujarat secured one of the top two positions. Gujarat are currently top of the points table with 20 points from 13 matches with 10 wins. The Rajasthan Royals, who are third in the points table, will get only 18 points if they win the remaining matches. With this, Gujarat secured one of the top two positions. Meanwhile, Chennai, who have lost their ninth match in 13 matches, are ninth in the points table with their own eight points from four matches.

Wriddhiman Saha and Shubhman Gill (18 off 17 balls) gave Gujarat a good start as they batted for 134 runs. Saha, on the other hand, attacked and advanced while Gill played steadily. The team got off to a good start, scoring 53 not out in the power play overs. In the first over of the eighth over, Gill was caught in front of the wicket by Pathirana Chennai as Gujarat rallied for victory from the start. Gill returned after adding 59 runs for the first wicket with Sahai.

After Gill’s return, Wade reached the crease and made it clear that Gujarat’s goal was to hit two fours early on. Moin Ali returned with a wicket as he led Gujarat to victory with Wade Sahai getting off to a flying start. Shivam Dubey was caught in the long on by the player who tried to hit hard. He returned with 20 off 15 balls with two fours. Captain Hardik Pandya, who came in behind, started to score four, but the batsman did not know the direction of Pathirana’s ball and returned to catch Dubai. Hardick scored just seven runs off six balls.

Saha led Gujarat to victory with the help of David Miller, who later reached the crease. Miller was unbeaten on 15 off 20 balls.

Earlier, Chennai won the toss and elected to bat, losing five wickets for 135 runs in 20 overs. Gujarat won the toss and elected to field. Mohammad Shami, who took two wickets for just 19 runs in four overs, was the standout bowler. Chennai’s score was reduced to 133 when Shamim and other bowlers were stingy in conceding runs. Chennai could not score a single boundary in the last five overs.

Rituraj Gaikwad’s half-century (53 off 49 balls) and Jagadeesan’s 39 off 33 balls for the first time this season were a relief to Chennai’s suffocating bowlers.