Tewatia steers Gujarat through stormy waters as hosts pull off 4-wicket win over Bengaluru

Rahul Tewatia steered Gujarat Titans safely through some stormy waters as they posted a four-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad on Thursday night.

Chasing a tricky 156 for victory, Gujarat Titans were reduced to 111 for five. The hosts needed 45 more and things were not looking all that great, but Tewatia and Jason Holder (12) stitched a 30-run partnership to seal the issue in favour of Titans. Tewatia, who came in as an Impact Player, made an unbeaten 27 off 17 balls with four hits to the fence. Titans made 158 for six in 15.5 overs.

We have an attack that can exploit different surfaces, says RCB coach Andy Flower

Gujarat had begun the chase well with openers Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill adding 42 for the first wicket in 3 overs before Sudharsan, who has been in terrific form over the last few games, fell. He had failed to reproduce the magic of the previous games, but it did not matter much as Gill took charge of things.

Gujarat Titans’ Jos Buttler bowled by Royal Challengers Bengaluru mediumpacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday night. Pics: BCCI

However, Gill couldn’t last long as he became Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s second victim after making 43 off 18 balls with four fours and three sixes.

Jos Buttler and Washington Sundar then added 35 for the third wicket before Bhuvneshwar took his third wicket by bowling Buttler (39; 19 balls; 2×4, 4×6).

Tewatia and Holder dash Bengaluru hopes

Sundar (12) and Shahrukh Khan (8) were sent back by Romario Shepherd and Bengaluru sensed a chance to go for the kill. But Tewatia and Holder dashed their hopes.

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“Really good batting surface. Bowlers deserve a lot of credit and the biggest difference was we took our catches. Siraj and Rabada have been great for us. Shubman talked about putting them (RCB pacers) off their lengths and credit to him for doing that. Initially, they are such good bowlers, so trying to change their lengths. When I got dismissed, got greedy a little bit. There was a big gap (at midwicket) and nice bowling by Bhuvi. (On Gill’s powerplay onslaught) That gave a lot of confidence and broke the back of the chase early. Massive two points. We are in that situation where we need to hold on to those above us, and really big win today,” said Titans’ Jos Buttler.

Mohd Siraj celebrates the wicket of Jacob Bethell 

Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru huffed and puffed their way to 155 in 19.2 overs. Openers Jacob Bethell (5) and Virat Kohli (28) added 34 for the first wicket but both fell in the space of one run to leave Bengaluru at 35 for two.

Devdutt Padikkal (40) and skipper Rajat Patidar (19) added 34 for the third wicket but after that there was a virtual parade. Bengaluru lost wickets at regular intervals as they stumbled to 155.

Arshad Khan bagged three for 22, while Jason Holder and Rashid Khan took two wickets apiece.

Score not good enough on this track: Patidar

“The score was not good enough on this track but the way we bowled and stretched it, it was a positive sign. (On the pitch) There was a good cover of grass, and it helped the fast bowlers. The way Shubman played, he played beautifully and put pressure on us. We gave a lot of wickets in the middle and that kept us in the backseat. He (Bhuvneshwar) is an experienced bowler and the way he bowled in the first half was incredible. It is a long way (to go) and we will take it one game at a time. We are not looking at the table. Our aim is to play good cricket,” said Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar.

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 155 in 19.2 overs (Virat Kohli 28, Devdutt Padikkal 40; Arshad Khan 3/22, Jason Holder 2/29, Rashid Khan 2/19) lost to Gujarat Titans 158 for six in 15.5 overs (Shubman Gill 43, Jos Buttler 39, Rahul Tewatia 27 not out; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/28, Romario Shepherd 2/30).