GT vs LSG, 51st Match at Ahmedabad, IPL, May 07 2023 - Match Result

Games close to four overs mean the next match has already started. Jaiswal and Buttler are going well at the top for Royals against Sunrisers, go ahead and follow Sidharth Monga's coverage there. Thanks for tuning in, bye from me, Ekanth, and our scorers, Thilak Rama and Chandan Duorah.

Shubman Gill, POTM: Not technically an easy day as they did well in the powerplay. But Mohit and the bowlers did well to restrict them. Saha is fantastic to bat with and have a bond. He's played from the first season, the way he maintains fitness and offers company is phenomenal. It was important for me to wait for the opportunity, control yourself and not get carried away. Before this match, I think I hadn't scored a six in the last two games and this time I didn't hit a four till the 17th over so I try to keep working on my skills.

Hardik Pandya, GT Captain: Can't ask for anything better, especially after playing post a day's gap and in the afternoon. Rashid's catch changed the game, we started controlling the game. Both teams were driving at 100kph but that wicket caused a bump. I don't think there'll be bragging rights with Krunal. Our love is too strong, I hope he does well. I'd have been happier if things had gotten closer and he had some bragging rights too.

Wriddhiman Saha has a strapping around his knees as he comes in to collect his awards in the post-match presentation.

Mohit Sharma: Shami and I chat a lot about how to bowl, when the ball gets old or how to bowl with the new ball. We felt the wicket would dry up further and slow it down. My finger isn't 100% so the knuckle ball isn't coming on properly but I felt in the chase I need to keep it wide. Ashish and I discuss how to mix length balls in between, he tells me not to keep it short and still aim for the top of the stumps.

Krunal Pandya, LSG Captain: It was too many runs. When it's 227, you have to keep going every over. You can afford to have a couple of quiet overs while chasing 200 but not 227. In the last 6-7 overs it was a bit slower, but the batters said it was a good wicket. Had we restricted them to 200-210, we'd have had a chance. You don't dream of captaining your side in IPL or facing Hardik but the family is happy. Mom was saying two points will come home in the end anyway. There's so much of love between me and Hardik. There's leg pulling but it happens only a couple of minutes.

7:22pm: It turns out that Shubman Gill assessed conditions perfectly in the mid-game chat. The hard ball was easier to hit, Mayers and de Kock proved it in the second innings. Shami, Hardik, Rashid all went for big runs in the powerplay but once the ball softened and Mohit got into the action, it was all over. Mayers ended with a 150 strike rate. QDK tried to keep going but found it hard. Sending Hooda over Pooran and Stoinis didn't work out for LSG. Mohit's slower balls were mighty effective, he finished with a four-for. Rashid and Noor course-corrected in the end. Shami finished with the Purple Cap thanks to his wicket.

Afeef: "This season is going to end the way it started - GT vs CSK at Ahmedabad "

Shrikant : "Titans heading for a Giant win over Super Giants "

Sam: "If it weren't for the washout, there'd be 2 points between 3rd and 9th. Chaos Theory in full flow"

Joseph finally gets an over

Adeel: "For all those questioning the win probability after the end of PP would now be nodding." Or switching to the other game.

Reetam: "Strange tactics from LSG, Krunal doesn't come out to bat. Mayers bowls before Stoinis, Swapnil Singh bowls only 1 over to 2 rampaging right handers"

Pramod: "Will it be safe to say GT qualified in playoff with today's win?" Sreshth says Not safe to say. But 16 points was enough last season for a top-four finish. But with one wash out this season in CSK v LSG, there is a chance that 17 is the minimum points needed, depending on other results.

NethraReya: "Better off hand the cup over to GT with this kind of dominance. They showing why they are the defending champions!"

Arpit Kumar: "Poor Jospeh, He's a impact player but didn't get the bowl."

Over in Rajasthan, Royals have brought in Joe Root and have won the toss against Sunrisers and chosen to bat