IPL 2022: David Miller hits 94* as Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings
Gujarat Titans stand-in skipper Rashid Khan ensured that Hardik Pandya was not missed on the field against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. The reigning champions set a target of 170 for victory, and David Miller hit an unbeaten 94 off 51 balls to help Gujarat Titans overcome CSK by three wickets.
Miller’s effort would not have been enough for GT if it hadn’t been for Khan’s 21-ball 40. In the death overs, the duo contributed 70 runs to help Titans go near to their objective. In the last phase, a Chris Jordan over that fetched 25 runs swung the game in Titans’ favour. With Rashid out and 13 runs needed off the penultimate over, Miller took over and scored the necessary runs. Miller hammered six sixes to keep the Titans in the game at all times. He also had a total of eight fours.
With the Titans needing two runs off the final pitch, Miller hit Chris Jordon down the ground and raced off for a close second run. As the stumps were whipped off, Lockie Ferguson dove towards the non-end, striker’s but he made it to the ground, allowing Titans to celebrate. With five victories in six games, the IPL newcomers are on top of the standings. CSK’s fifth loss in six games has dropped them to ninth place, just ahead of the winless Mumbai Indians.
CSK reached 169/5 in their first innings, thanks to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s scorching 48-ball 73 and Ambati Rayudu’s 31-ball 46. Ravindra Jadeja, who has struggled this season, had a 12-ball cameo of 22 runs to help his team reach what he felt would be a difficult total.
After Moeen Ali (1) and Robin Uthappa (3) were dismissed early in the innings, Gaikwad and Rayudu contributed 92 runs. Gaikwad, who had had some poor performances prior to the match, batted with authority and smashed five fours and five sixes in his innings, setting the groundwork for a large total. Rayudu followed in the footsteps of Gaikwad and went after the Gujarat Titans bowlers. He struck four fours and two sixes to lead the side to victory.
