Miller helps Gujarat win battle of IPL newcomers against Lucknow

Mohammed Shami's three wickets and a batting blitz by Rahul Tewatia and David Miller helped Gujarat Titans begin their IPL journey with a thrilling win over fellow debutants Lucknow Super Giants on Monday.

Chasing 159 for victory, Gujarat were in trouble at 78-4 but Tewatia smashed an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls, with Miller adding 30 off 21 to help their team to a five-wicket win with two balls to spare in Mumbai.

Shami set up the win for Gujarat after he returned figures of 3-25 to restrict Lucknow, led by KL Rahul, to 158-6.

"This was the right game for us to be on either side and learn, but we have learnt a lot by winning," said Gujarat skipper Hardik Pandya.

"Shami is known for his seam positions and he got us to a great start. We would have any day taken 160 on this wicket."

Gujarat, owned by CVC Capital -- a US capital venture fund, slipped when Pandya fell for 33 to elder brother Krunal Pandya's left-arm spin.

The wicket ended a 57-run partnership with Matthew Wade, who soon got out for 30.

Miller and Tewatia -- both left-hand batters -- put together 60 off 34 balls to swing the momentum back in Gujarat's favour.

"The wicket was so good that Miller and I were discussing that we would take it deep and it's a matter of just one over," said Tewatia.

"After I hit that six with the reverse sweep, that got (Ravi) Bishnoi thinking."

Tewatia completed the chase with his fifth four -- he also struck two sixes -- with partner Abhinav Manohar hitting 15 off seven balls.

Earlier Shami rattled the Lucknow top-order with three early strikes, including getting Rahul caught behind for nought on the first ball of the match and bowled Quinton de Kock for seven.

Shubman Gill took a stunning catch while running backwards to send back Evin Lewis