INDIA: David Miller and stand-in captain Rashid Khan rode over Chennai Super Kings’ Midas touch to steal victory under the noses of hall of Famers MS Dhoni, captain Ravindra Jadeja, and MVP Dwayne Bravo in a game of calculated risks and nail-biting finishes.
Table-toppers Gujarat chased CSK’s 169 with three wickets and a ball to spare in an IPL game at Gahunje Stadium on Sunday night, despite the absence of Hardik Pandya (groin injury).
The day’s hero was left-hander David Miller (94, 51b, 8x4s, 6x6s). They needed 52 runs in four overs. Dwayne Bravo gave up just four runs in the 17th over, making the task even more complicated: 48 needed off three overs. Then pacer Chris Jordan was brought in for 25 runs, tipping the scales in Gujarat’s favor. Bravo then took two wickets for ten runs (Rashid and Alzarri Joseph) in the penultimate over to finish with 3 for 23 in four overs, including a wicket maiden. But it was too late, and Miller had complete control of the climax.
The Miller carnage ended with a swatted six. However, the stage was set with fours and sixes in the V, followed by lusty blows square off the wicket. The flashy T20 shots were almost non-existent. Rashid hit Jordan’s errant ball over extra cover for six and then added two more boundaries, one straight and one square off the wicket. There was a shift in momentum.
After eight overs, Gujarat was 48-4. Ravindra Jadeja, the left-arm spinner taken for 19 runs in the 12th over, introduced Bravo as late as the 13th. And he didn’t let me down. First, a wicket maiden (got Tewatia), followed by two brilliant slower balls outside the off-stump as dots to the marauding left-handed batter Miller. Earlier, a 92-run third-wicket stand of Ruturaj Gaikwad (73 runs, 48 balls, 5x4s, 5x6s) and Ambati Rayudu (46 runs, 31 balls, 4x4s, 2x6s) took CSK to 169-5.
In the sixth over, CSK led 32-2. They couldn’t finish on a high note after being 124-2 in the 15th over. After the 13th over, they had gone 32 balls without a boundary.
Also Read: Chief Minister Inaugurates a Viewing Deck at Girgaum Chowpatty
