Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper, Sanju Samson, and batter Shimron Hetmyer scored fiery half-centuries to help their side to a three-wicket win against defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Samson won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first and the visitors got the wicket of Wriddhiman Saha in the first over bowled by Trent Boult. B Sai Sudharshan got off to a good start but couldn’t convert it into a big score, as he got run out in the powerplay itself.
Then, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya made a crucial 59-run partnership, before Yuzvendra Chahal struck to send Pandya back to the pavilion. Pandya amassed 28 runs off 19 balls, hitting three boundaries and a solitary six. Shubman was close to completing his third fifty of the season when Sandeep Sharma got the better of him as he scored 46 off 34 balls.
WATCH – Trent Boult Takes A Rebound Catch Amidst The Comedy Of Errors
Abhinav Manohar has been promoted up the order and he repaid the trust put in him by the team management as he amassed 27 runs off 13 deliveries. David Miller played another crucial knock, as he scored 46 off 230 balls before being dismissed by Sandeep in the final over.
Eventually, GT finished only with the score of 177 for 7 on the scoreboard after 20 overs. The hosts started off phenomenally well with Hardik Pandya dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for just one run in the second over. However, it was a fiery delivery from Mohammed Shami, who got the better of Jos Buttler on a duck as RR was reeling at 4 for 2.
Sanju Samson and Devdutt Padikkal made a partnership of 43 runs before Rashid Khan dismissed the latter in the ninth over. Even Riyag Parag was dismissed in the next over of Rashid, but Samson played a captain’s knock as he scored his 19th IPL 50 and made a quick-fire 59-run partnership with Shimron Hetmyer before being dismissed by debutant Noor Ahmad.
WATCH – Mohammed Shami Castles Jos Buttler With A Fiery In-swinger
Despite the dismissal of Samson, Shimron Hetmyer continued with the onslaught, and remained unbeaten on 56 runs off 26 balls, hitting two fours and five sixes. Dhruv Jurel and Ravichandran Ashwin played some quick-fire knocks to help the visitors register a three-wicket win over the defending champions. With this win, RR held on to the top spot in the IPL 2023 points table, with four wins in five matches.
Here are the videos of the phenomenal knocks from Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer:
Here is how the netizens applauded RR for an improbable win:
Thrilling match, filled with excellent individual performances and many ups and downs. Depth of talent in batting and bowling makes Rajasthan and Gujarat the two finest teams (so far) this season
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 16, 2023
Outstanding match RR vs GT. Congratulations @rajasthanroyals captain knock @IamSanjuSamson top class batting and what a finish by @SHetmyer ⭐️ top shots Anna @ashwinravi99 👌 #RRvsGT @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 16, 2023
Hetmyer ला मानला!!!!!!!#HallaBol #RRvsGT #TATAIPL2023 #IPLinMarathi #IPLonJioCinema
— Dhawal Kulkarni (@dhawal_kulkarni) April 16, 2023
What a cracking turnaround by @rajasthanroyals. Both @IamSanjuSamson and @SHetmyer were the heroes for RR tonight. They continue their dominance on top of the table. #IPL2023 #GTvRR
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) April 16, 2023
What an IPL so far. Many nail-biters over the last week. Rajasthan chasing 120 + in the last 10 after that start was an outstanding effort. Hetmyer, Sanju absolutely brilliant. #RRvsGT
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 16, 2023
Samson and Hetmyer. Simply outstanding. That was some of the best batting in a tricky chase you can see. What a tournament we are having! #TATAIPL2023
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 16, 2023
Sanju Samson and Hetmyer were spectacular today . Samson has this special ability to get going from the word go. Great win for Rajasthan. #RRvsGT
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) April 16, 2023
What a finisher @SHetmyer!! 👏🏾👏🏾 Brilliant effort from the @gujarat_titans bowlers but a true skipper’s knock from @IamSanjuSamson and some cameos from @dhruvjurel21 & @ashwinravi99 takes them to the top of the table!! #GTvRR
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) April 16, 2023
Shimron Hetmyer is just 26 YO but the maturity and the game awareness is 🔥.#GTvRR pic.twitter.com/6xWYHjn5Na
— Rampy. (@RiserTweex) April 16, 2023
the most clueless captain ever in cricket history we all have witnessed .
man needs Ashish Nehra after every over to get the guidance for bowling changes , hope cricket experts will look at the reality ! #GTvRR pic.twitter.com/X5HR4KdsQK
— 𝗔𝘆𝘂𝘀𝗵 🇮🇳 (@RofiedAyush) April 16, 2023
Rajasthan Royals winning it against Gujarat Titans in IPL today from 55 for 4 in 11 overs.
Great cameo from Ash Anna,
Take a bow Sanju Samson & Shimron Hetmyer ! #GTvRR #IPL2023 #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/pi7TV2eS0H— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) April 16, 2023
Rajasthan Royals winning it against Gujarat Titans in IPL today from 55 for 4 in 11 overs.
Great cameo from Ash Anna,
Take a bow Sanju Samson & Shimron Hetmyer! #GTvRR pic.twitter.com/wjy7BYu71L— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) April 16, 2023
What a collective powerful performance by Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, Ashwin, and Hetmyer! They won the match from an almost losing position.#GTvRR pic.twitter.com/j4sMCpFnO2
— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45) April 16, 2023
