NEW DELHI: Captain of the Gujarat Titans Hardik Pandya on Sunday he praised Shubman Gill for his outstanding performance, leading their side to a six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Gill scored an outstanding century (101 not out) to secure a six-wicket victory for the Gujarat Titans at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in their IPL 2023 encounter.
“The composure that the boys had was fantastic. We wanted to keep the momentum going. We ticked a lot of boxes. (On Gill) You know when he plays those cricket shots and bats like a batsman, he’s a different Shubman Gill. Today, the type of options he picked and the type of runs he hit, as a bowler doesn’t stand a chance. That makes him very special and the other hitter also gains confidence from him,” Hardik said in a post-game presentation.
IPL: RCB campaign ends after loss to GT, MI passes
“We would have taken 197 early on but didn’t bowl well. Special innings by Virat, he batted well but we went too early for death bowling. Can’t ask for better from the boys. Last year we did well, everything is We went right. This year was a different challenge for us. We expected people to challenge us. The guys showed amazing character. A big credit goes to all the guys for how hard they worked.” , he added.
Batted first by GT, RCB posted a total of 197/5 in his 20 overs.
The Gujarat Titans chased down target with five balls to spare.
The holders will play CSK in their first qualifying match on Tuesday.
1/11
IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans eliminate Royal Challengers Bangalore
Show subtitles
Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill hit a superb century to edge past Virat Kohli’s second run as Royal Challengers Bangalore were knocked out of the IPL on Sunday.
Gill followed up with his century against Sunrisers Hyderabad with unbeaten 104 from 52 balls as Gujarat reached 198/4 off five balls to go for a six-wicket win.
Kohli with 101 not out – his record seventh century in the IPL – anchored the RCB at 197/5, but Gill fueled Gujarat’s chase by hitting eight sixes and five fours.
After the start was delayed for nearly an hour by rain, Kohli and captain Faf du Plessis combined in an early stand of 67 runs off 43 balls.
But Gujarat spinner Noor Ahmad (2/39) and Rashid Khan (1/24) reduced runs in the middle overs as Kohli lifted his half-century off 35 balls.
Kohli boosted the score in death overs with his superb drives either side of the wicket and became the first batsman in IPL history to score seven centuries.
Kohli took Mohit Sharma (0/54) long in the final for a single to re-boost his hundreds of balls only to see Gill’s brilliance take away victory from his side.
Gill has defied the data by favoring teams batting first and winning in Bangalore in the recent past with his superb stroke play.
Gill and Vijay Shankar (53) put on a winning stand of 123 runs for the second wicket.
Gill re-boosted to win and also completed his second consecutive century with a straight six off Wayne Parnell in the final over.
Gill was adjudged Man of the Match for his spectacular hitting.