RCB left a few runs with the bat, as Faf said, but Kohli's return to the runs was an uptick. Is that enough of a solace though? Whatever is the case, it's better on the opposition's side because Titans' ability to convert and close games has been phenomenal. With 16 points, they have a foot in the playoffs. MI vs RR is on, you can check it out here. Thank you for tuning to our coverage. I'm Ekanth, signing off on behalf of my fellow commentator, Debayan Sen, and our scorers, Thilak and Ranjith.
Rahul Tewatia is the Player of the Match for 43* (25). He becomes the seventh player in Gujarat Titans' squad to win the award this season
Mayank: "Lots of blunders by RCB today, underbowling Maxwell On a pitch which supported spinners and when opposition had plenty of left handers,Rawat dropping Miller,Solid but slow knock by Kohli costed them around 20-30 runs and lack of DK's finishing prowess today proved costly."
David Miller, 39* (24): Another game with Tewatia was great, it's important to have such performances to get to the playoffs. Playing a lot of gof helped, but being relaxed with Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten in the coaches list helped. (On Hardik) He's taken to captaincy well, his batting is good. He's level-headed off the field and has managed the atmosphere excellently. Role clarity is essential, we are feeding off each other. Hope we put a well-rounded performance soon to go one step better from now, where we are doing well in parts. We have been good in the powerplay. It was pretty hot, so we will have a few ice-baths and cold beers.
Faf du Plessis, RCB Captain: We tried to get 175-180. They bowled well in the middle and kept us down. We started well with the ball but they played under pressure really well as they are in the tournament. Patidar played really well and with confidence. After two bad performances with the bat, coming back was good. But the bowlers being taken down by good batting took it their way. There was big side on one side, and there was one over (4th last) where most balls went to the legside. (On Virat) It was a huge step in the right direction to get a solid 50. You want one of your top 4 to get the 70s in the future, so it's good.
7:18 pm: The players shake hands after Tewatia pumps and thumps in celebrations. The animated flex was on, Miller raised his hands, and the dugout got up to roar as Titans complete an excellent victory. Gill and Saha got off to a start but the lag for GT came at the start, unlike RCB, who had it at the end.
END OF OVER:19 | 12 Runs | GT: 164/4 (7 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.63, RRR: 7.00)
- Rahul Tewatia39 (24b)
- David Miller34 (22b)
- Harshal Patel4-0-35-0
- Josh Hazlewood3-0-26-0
14 needed off 8
Ravin: "Virat's effort to get back into form cost around 20 runs for the team.......it could prove costly now"
Vaibhav Laddha: "Change in franchisee have done wonders to a few players. Tewatia is one of them. At RR, he played that one extraordinary inning, but rest of the stint was pretty ordinary. At GT this season, he is emerging as a consistent finisher."
Tewatia buys time after running a quick two
19 off 12 needed. Harshal starts from over the wicket
END OF OVER:18 | 17 Runs | GT: 152/4 (19 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.44, RRR: 9.50)
- David Miller32 (20b)
- Rahul Tewatia29 (20b)
- Josh Hazlewood3-0-26-0
- Harshal Patel3-0-23-0
Bharatthej: "My brain just goes off with team strategy to tewatiya. They keep bowling over the wicket at middle and leg. Bowl around the wicket and wide outside off. "
Josh returns from over the wicket
END OF OVER:17 | 7 Runs | GT: 135/4 (36 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.94, RRR: 12.00)
- Rahul Tewatia16 (15b)
- David Miller28 (19b)
- Harshal Patel3-0-23-0
- Mohammed Siraj4-0-35-0
Santhosh: "Mentioned during the break 170 should be competitive enough, but with siraj in team another 20 runs is required for RCB." A bit harsh but potentially true
In the other game, MI have won the toss and elected to field first.