RCB VS GT MATCH 70

Right then, that brings us to the end of the group stage games, and the four teams to qualify for the playoffs of the 16th edition of the Indian T20 League are Gujarat, Chennai, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Bangalore will be absolutely disappointed with their effort as they had their fate in their own hands. Gujarat will now move to the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai to face the Yellow Army on their own turf in Qualifier 1 and that game will take place on Tuesday, 23rd May. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but do join us for the build-up which begins well in advance. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Shubman Gill is Player of the Match for scoring 104 runs in 52 balls at a strike rate of 200. He says that he has been in good form and he has happy to make his starts count to get some big ones. Mentions that he has been missing out earlier in the tournament as he was unable to convert his scores. Adds that he kept applying himself and kept his belief. Informs that the new ball was holding up but got and they had to work for the runs but it got easier later. Goes on to say that with the rain, the ball was getting wet so it was difficult for the bowlers to get a grip. When asked what he spoke about to Vijay Shankar, he claims that he was trying to hit hard so he told him to hold his shape and time his shots instead. Stated that once he found momentum, he can hit the ball a long way. Reckons that he knows his game and he tries to be in that area while playing so it allows him to build on that. Ends by saying that it is exciting to play Chennai in Chennai and they have a good bowling attack so hopefully they can win that game to make it to the finals.

Hardik Pandya, the skipper of Gujarat says that the calmness in the chase was terrific and adds that they wanted to keep the winning momentum intact. Feels that they have ticked all boxes. Mentions that it is difficult to bowl to Shubman Gill and other batters get confidence from him. Shares that they would have taken 197 at the start. Says that it was a special inning from Virat Kohli but feels that they went to death bowling very early. Reckons that this year was a different challenge and credits the boys for putting their hands up.

Time for the presentations...

Vijay Shankar is up for a quick chat and he says that they have been playing good cricket and adds that this chase was needed before going to the playoffs. Mentions that it was a satisfying chase and feels that he should have finished the game since he was set. Shares that it wasn't easy against the new ball and says that Shubman Gill showed everyone how to bat on different wickets. States that he has been practising his bowling in the nets but with six bowling options, he has not been used. Feels that they have the firepower to chase big totals. Reckons that it will be very special to play against Chennai on their home ground in the qualifier.

Faf du Plessis, the skipper of Bangalore says that he is very disappointed with the result. Adds that Gujarat are a strong team and it was an amazing innings by Shubman Gill. Mentions that there were one or two areas where they were a little off. Shares that the conditions were wet and there were a lot of issues gripping the ball in the second innings. States that Virat Kohli played an unbelievable knock which gave them a chance. Also says that their top order contributed well throughout the season but they were a little light in the middle order. Adds that they bowled well but could not get many wickets in the middle overs.

Time for some interviews...

Bangalore’s batting effort was all about Virat Kohli as he notched up his seventh Indian T20 League century which is the most in the Indian T20 League by a batter and his second in consecutive games. They did get off to a great start scoring 62 runs for no loss in the Powerplay but lost a bunch of wickets and looked like there was another collapse on the cards. Virat Kohli built a 47-run partnership with Michael Bracewell and an unbeaten stand of 64 in 34 deliveries with Anuj Rawat to get them close to the 200-run mark. The spinners for Gujarat were good with Noor Ahmad claiming two wickets and Rashid Khan with a crucial wicket of Glenn Maxwell. Mohammad Shami and Yash Dayal chipped in with a wicket each but their death bowlers proved to be far too expensive. Their batters did a remarkable job though to compensate for the shortcomings of their bowlers and this is what makes a champion side.

Mohammed Siraj was at his fiery best as he looked really dangerous and was eventually rewarded with a wicket but the rest of the bowlers could not keep the runs down in the Powerplay. They went wicketless for almost 12 overs till Vyshak Vijay Kumar broke the partnership and gave his side a glimmer of hope. Harshal Patel looked to be at his best as he executed the slower balls to perfection and conceded just 18 runs in his first three overs along with a wicket. Mohammed Siraj returned to claim another wicket in the death overs and kept the home fans believing but Harshal was a touch expensive in his fourth over as he conceded 11 runs in the penultimate over leaving Wayne Parnell 8 runs to defend in the last six balls. Shubman Gill needed one ball with the help of a couple of extras to seal the game and send the hosts packing.

Gujarat were off to a circumspect start as Wriddhiman Saha seemed to be struggling to get any bat on the ball. He played some streaky shots but was dismissed soon after and Vijay Shankar, who came on as an Impact Player, also seemed to struggle at the wicket. Shubman Gill at the other end seemed to be batting on a different pitch though and continued to play some crisp shots. He raced to his half-century and Vijay Shankar also managed to get there albeit with some good luck as the two of them added 123 runs for the second wicket. Shankar departed right after reaching his fifty and Dasun Shanaka could not make much of an impact. David Miller could not fulfil his role of seeing the game through but who needs a finisher when you have the baby GOAT? He saw Virat Kohli get back-to-back centuries and decided to do one better by getting it in a winning cause.

The Prince has dethroned the King by trumping his knock! Bangalore have lost this game to the special talent of Shubman Gill! They are now eliminated from the competition and there is stunned silence around the ground! It means Mumbai will be the fourth team to qualify for the playoffs and they have a young superstar to thank for making it possible. Bangalore looked to be in a comfortable position at the halfway stage but were not clinical enough with the ball to put this game to bed. The Gujarat juggernaut rolls on as they register their 10th win of the season and enter the qualifiers with the winning momentum intact. They look like a formidable team and are definitely favourites to defend their title.

SIX! THAT'S IT! Shubman Gill has done it for Gujarat as well as Mumbai! Wayne Parnell bowls it full and outside off, Shubman Gill gets this one in the slot and smokes it over long on for a biggie. Brings up his second hundred in a row and takes Gujarat over the line. Joy on the faces of Gujarat players but despair on the faces of the Bangalore players and fans. Gujarat win by 6 wickets!

WIDE! Goes full but too wide, outside off, Shubman Gill lets it go for a wide. Faf du Plessis challenges this decision and goes for the review. The replays show that the ball was outside the tramline and it will stay as a wide delivery.

NO BALL! Oh no! Parnell loses his grip and spays an above-waist full toss, outside off, Shubman Gill leaves the ball alone. The umpire signals a wide initially which is challenged by Gill as he thinks its a no ball for height. The replays show that the ball was clearly over the waist and a Free Hit will follow now.

Loopy delivery, full and outside off, Rahul Tewatia uses his feet and lets the ball go. He thinks it's a wide but the umpire does not think so.

Off cutter, on a length, on off, Rahul Tewatia looks to access the off side but mishits it back to the bowler.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it fuller, outside off, Rahul Tewatia creams the drive through extra cover and collects a couple of runs.