Gujarat Titans Crush Lucknow Super Giants By 56 runs

Gujarat Titans' juggernaut continued in the Indian Premier League as the defending champions crushed Lucknow Super Giants by 56 runs in Ahmedabad on Sunday to remain perched on the top of the table. This was their eighth win in 11 matches, taking their tally to 16 points and closer to the play-offs. Gujarat Titans, propelled to their highest-ever total of 227 for two courtesy a franchise record 142-run partnership between Shubman Gill (94 not out) and Wriddhiman Saha (81), came back strongly in the second half of LSG's chase to emerge winners in a comprehensive manner.

Chasing 228, LSG stroked their way to a strong 102 for one at the halfway mark but the wheels came off eventually, with GT tying down their batters with tight overs.

Despite Quinton de Kock's brilliant 70 in his first game this season and Kyle Mayers' brisk 48 at the top, LSG middle-order crumbled against a mountainous chase to concede the contest, finishing at 171 for seven in 20 overs.

Lucknow Super Giants knocked off 50 runs from the target in only four overs with both Mayers and de Kock finding momentum.

While Mayers began with three consecutive fours off Hardik Pandya in the second over, the third from Mohammad Shami yielded 19 runs with de Kock hitting a couple of fours and Mayers getting a six and a four.

Mayers was also severe on Rashid Khan in the fifth, hitting him for a six and a four to collect 14 runs as LSG reached 72 for no loss after the powerplay.

However, a brilliant catch from Rashid in the ninth over broke LSG's opening stand at 88.

The Afghan player covered a distance of 26 metres from deep square leg and managed to hold on to the ball while diving to his right, getting rid of Mayers for 48 off 32 balls (7x4s, 2x6s) off Mohit Sharma.

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