Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans have one last chance to make it to the finals. (PC:iplt20)
New Delhi. IPL 2023 has got its first finalist. Chennai Super Kings will take on the field for their 5th title on May 28, but who will challenge MS Dhoni will be decided on Friday evening. Will Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans be able to capitalize on the second chance that comes their way or will Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians be able to get closer to their sixth title. Gujarat had lost the first qualifier to Chennai. After which he got another chance to make it to the finals. Now he will face the winning team of Eliminator Mumbai in Qualifier 2.
Gujarat had performed brilliantly in the league stage. By winning 10 out of 14 matches, Gujarat topped the points table with 20 points. He was matched with second-placed Chennai with 17 points, where Pandya made such a mistake that he had to face defeat. If Pandya has to take Gujarat to the final for the second consecutive time, then he will have to avoid the mistake he made against Chennai. He will have to avoid repeating that mistake in front of Rohit.
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change in batting order
In fact, Hardik Pandya had changed the batting order on a big occasion like the qualifiers. Batting first, Chennai scored 172 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs. In response, Gujarat was all out for 157 runs in 20 overs. Gujarat had lost the first wicket in the form of Wriddhiman Saha on 22 runs. Shubman Gill was standing at one end. He needed strong support at the other end, but Pandya changed the batting order at a crucial juncture. At number 3, runs were coming off the bat of Vijay Shankar. He is the highest run scorer for Gujarat after Shubman Gill. He hit 301 runs in 12 matches. He also scored 53 runs in the last league match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. There was a 123-run partnership between Gill and him in 71 balls.
“We are going to learn from our mistakes.”
Plenty of positives to takeaways as Rashid Khan reflects on a tough night for the Titans and pledges to give it their all ahead of Qualifier 2! @rashidkhan_19 , #PhariAavaDe #TATAIPL 2023 Playoffs pic.twitter.com/6qVINbrW6h
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 24, 2023
Vijay Shankar’s rhythm deteriorated
When Vijay Shankar was needed at No. 3 against Chennai, Pandya changed his order and came out to bat in his place. As a result, Pandya got out after scoring 8 runs. Vijay came out to bat at a time when Gujarat lost their 4 wickets for 88 runs. By changing the batting order, his rhythm also deteriorated and while batting at number six, he could score only 14 runs. Talking about Pandya, he has been able to score only 45 runs in the last 5 matches. Despite going through a bad phase in the last few matches, he took the risk of coming at number three against Chennai, which also cost his team dearly. In such a situation, now Pandya will have to avoid repeating the same mistake against Mumbai, because Mumbai has made a comeback.
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