KOLKATA: In the first qualifier of IPL played here today, aggressive opener Jose Butler’s 89-run innings and 68-run partnership with captain Sanju Samson helped Rajasthan Royals reach the 189-run target with the help of Gujarat Titans David Miller and Hardik Pandya. Wicket entered the final with a win.
Gujarat Titans lost the wicket of Inform Saha in the beginning. Shubhaman Gill and Matthew Wade then put on a 72-run partnership. However, Gujarat lost 3 wickets for 85 runs in the near future. From here, Hardik Pandya and David Miller, better known as Killer Miller, shared a 106-run stand in 10 overs to take Gujarat to 191 for 3 and give them a 7-wicket victory.
After losing the toss and opting to bat first, Rajasthan Royals did not have a good start, although Butler and Sams joined hands to improve the situation with a half-century partnership. Butler was a bit slow in this partnership, while Samson was dismissed for 47 off 26 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. Paddickal was also dismissed for 28 off 20 balls and then Butler accelerated his innings. After Paddickal was bowled out before the 15th over, Butler’s aggressive batting helped Rajasthan add 72 runs in the final 5.5 overs. Butler was run out for 89 off 56 balls with the help of 12 fours and 2 sixes in the fifth ball of the final over.
