IPL 2022, Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya fires Titans to emphatic win over Royals

Hardik Pandya enhanced his reputation as a number four batter with an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls as Gujarat Titans trounced Rajasthan Royals by 37 runs in the Indian Premier League here on Thursday. Hardik, whose strike rate and approach has been questioned at his new position, played responsibly when it was needed before displaying the power he is known for to lead Titans to 192 for four after being sent into bat. As it happened | Scorecard | Points TableThe in-form Jos Buttler (54 off 24) provided another flying start to Royals but the rest of the batting unit did not deliver as the innings ended at 155 for nine in 20 overs. Young left-arm pacer Yash Dayal (3/40) impressed on IPL debut while Lockie Ferguson (3/23)) got the important wicket of Buttler, who was deceived by the New Zealander's slow yorker after a series of quick deliveries. Ferguson also dismissed Ravichandran Ashwin in the same over after the senior India spinner was promoted to bat at number three.

The other notable contribution to Royals' innings came from Shimron Hetmyer (29 off 17). From 56 for one, Royals slipped to 90 for five and could not recover from there on. Hardik, who has been bowling regularly this season, also picked up a wicket but he took himself off the attack in the 18th over after feeling a little discomfort in the groin area. With their fourth win in five games, Titans displaced Royals from the top of the points table. It was the Royals' second loss in five games.

Earlier, Hardik found an able ally in Abhinav Manohar (43 off 28) before he exploded in the company of David Miller (31 not out off 14) to power the IPL debutants to their highest score of the tournament. Hardik and Manohar shared an 86-run stand for the fourth wicket