GT’s innings folded for 130 despite the 54-run opening stand.
Chasing 164 to win, GT’s innings folded for 130 despite the 54-run opening stand between Shubman Gill (19) and Sai Sudharsan (31).
Yash Thakur drew the first blood for LSG by dismissing Gill, which triggered a collapse as the visitors slumped to 80/5. While Rahul Tewatia (30) tried to resurrect the innings, he didn’t get much support from the other end and the Titans were eventually bowled out in 18.5 overs.
After the game, GT skipper Shubman Gill minced no words as he held the batters accountable for the loss.
"I think it was a good wicket to bat on. Just a poor batting performance by us. We got off to a decent start but we lost it in the middle overs and were never able to recover from that," Gill said at the post-match presentation.
However, he lauded his bowlers for restrict LSG to below par total. The captain also rued missing David Miller due to an injury but made it clear that the target was chaseable.
"I think our bowlers were exceptional to restrict them to that score. We were looking at 170-180 but to restrict them, it was a tremendous effort. (On Miller) He is a player who can change the game at any time. We had a couple of injuries but irrespective, this total was gettable," Gill added.
Reflecting on his dismissal, Shubman Gill said: “It was the last over of the powerplay and I just wanted to capitalise. Everyone was up on the off side, I wanted to give himself room. The ball I got out to, I was trying to play it too square and missed it.”
Coming to the match, LSG posted 163/5 on the board after opting to bat first. Marcus Stoinis was the top scorer with 58 off 43 balls while Nicholas Pooran made a handy contribution of 22-ball 32*.
Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for GT as he picked up two wickets by conceding 22 runs in his three overs. The spin duo of Rashid Khan (1-28) and Noor Ahmad (0-22) also returned with impressive bowling figures.
Defending the total, pacer Yash Thakur (5/30) bagged a five-wicket haul whereas spinners Krunal Pandya (3/11), Ravi Bishnoi (1/8) and Manimaran Siddharth (0/29) chipped in with crucial contributions to script LSG’s thumping victory.