
The 23rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will see the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) take on the last-year finalist Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday.
Gujarat will enter the contest fresh off a victory against Punjab Kings, and the Hardik Pandya-led team will be eager to continue their winning ways.
Rajasthan, on the other hand, triumphed in their prior match against Chennai, who were headed by MS Dhoni.
It was a boxing contest between two heavyweights - especially in the last few overs.
Both teams took the game almost till the end. With wickets falling as well as boundaries being hit - alot happened.
But Shimron Hetmyer is the man of the hour who not only smashed a 50 but also took his side to victory.
On the first ball of the last over, Shimron Hetmyer took 2 runs to get to his 50.
R Ashwin comes in and bangs a four and six but that was enough for GT as they send him back.
It was full outside off and Ashwin slices his drive down the throat of Tewatia at backward point.
Ashwin c Rahul Tewatia b Shami 10(3) [4s-1 6s-1]
Shami goes for a bouncer and Jurel plays the hook but gets a top-edge.
The ball goes towards Mohit Sharma who comes running from fine leg to complete the catch.
Dhruv Jurel c Mohit Sharma b Shami 18(10) [4s-2 6s-1]
Samson was looking to take the game away but Gujarat stops him.
Miller from long-off runs in, keeps his eyes on the ball throughout and completes the catch.
Samson c Miller b Noor Ahmad 60(32) [4s-3 6s-6]
50 for the RR skipper!
After his side losing quick wickets, he has stayed and played a captain's knock.
Gujarat get Impact Player on - Noor Ahmed makes his first IPL appearance.
Riyan Parag went for the big shot but the ball goes hard and flat towards long-off.
Miller takes a nice catch as the ball was dying on him.
Riyan Parag c Miller b Rashid Khan 5(7)
Padikkal decided to target Rashid Khan and charged out to the spinner's googly.
But he got a leading edge and Mohit Sharma at short third took the catch.
Padikkal c Mohit Sharma b Rashid Khan 26(25) [4s-2 6s-2]
That's a duck for Buttler!
A very important wicket as Buttler is known to win matches.
This one swings in sharply and Buttler looks to scoop this towards the leg-side but he gets beaten due to the movement.
The off-stump has been rattled.
Buttler b Shami 0(5)
It was a short and quick outside off with some extra bounce and Jaiswal has a poke at it.
Edged and Gill at slip takes a comfortable catch.
Jaiswal c Shubman Gill b Hardik Pandya 1(7)
1 run completed but Rashid is run-out!
He had hit the ball towards long-on and initially called for two.
The fielder fires a flat throw at the bowler's end and Rashid tries to get back in, but the bowler whips off the bails in a flash.
Rashid is run-out by a whisker.
Rashid Khan run out (Buttler/Sandeep Sharma) 1(1)
A low full toss outside off and Miller miscued it towards deep cover.
Hetmyer stationed near the fence takes it easily.
Miller c Hetmyer b Sandeep Sharma 46(30) [4s-3 6s-2]
Goes full and wide outside off and Abhinav Manohar looked to go big against Zampa, but ends up slicing it towards point.
It was an easy catch for Padikkal.
Abhinav Manohar c Padikkal b Zampa 27(13) [6s-3]
Chahal breaks the partnership!
Pandya stays leg-side of the ball to go downtown but it spins away and the GT skipper ends up slicing it in the air.
Jaiswal holds onto the catch at extra cover after moving backwards.
Hardik Pandya c Jaiswal b Chahal 28(19) [4s-3 6s-1]
Gill comes down the track and the ball goes over the leaping bowler who got a hand on it.
Sudharsan was initially looking to get back into the crease at the bowler's end but Gill kept running and Sudharsan was late to take off for the single.
Sai Sudharsan run out (Buttler/Samson) 20(19) [4s-2]
What just happened! 3 fielders including keeper wait for the catch but all end up colliding with each other and the bowler (4th players) took the catch.
It was a length delivery, swinging in on middle and leg.
Saha got a fat leading edge that goes a mile up in the air.
Saha c and b Boult 4(3) [4s-1]
Gujarat have one forced change - Vijay Shankar isn't playing. Abhinav comes in for him.
Teams:
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya(c), Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma,
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal