Tuesday, 3 October, 2023
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Hardik helps Gujarat reclaim IPL top spot

Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans survived a late assault from Kolkata Knight Riders’ big-hitter Andre Russell to win by eight runs and return to the top of the IPL table on Saturday, reports AFP. Pandya, who missed the previous match due to injury, hit 67 -- his third successive half-century -- to guide Gujarat to 156 for nine after electing to bat first in Mumbai. Kolkata lost regular wickets to be in trouble at 108-7 when Russell,

already on 24 off 13, attempted to single-handedly drive the chase only to be caught in the deep by a good running catch by Lockie Ferguson in the final over. He made 48 off 25. West Indies quick bowler Alzarri Joseph defended 18 in the final over after getting hit for a six on the first ball by Russell as Kolkata ended on 148-8. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami stood out with figures of 4-20 while Rashid Khan took two

wickets to get past 100 IPL scalps, controlling the middle overs with his leg spin. Rashid was named

player of the match for figures of 2-22. Pandya set up victory with partnerships of 75 with Wriddhiman Saha (25) and 50 with David Miller (27) but the opposition bowlers checked the Gujarat surge.