Hardik Pandya inspires Gujarat Titans to table-topping win

Jos Buttler responded with a rapid half century, but Pandya ensured a fourth win of the season for the new franchise

Mumbai: Gujarat Titans 192-4, Rajasthan Royals 155-9 - Gujarat Titans win by 37 runs

Scorecard

Hardik Pandya starred as Gujarat Titans overcame Rajasthan Royals to go top of the Indian Premier League table.

The allrounder, who captains the new franchise, smashed 87 off just 52 deliveries in a 37-run victory despite Jos Buttler's best efforts.

The England wicketkeeper hammered 54 off just 24 balls, before being dismissed while still inside the powerplay.

But Devdutt Padikkal fell to his first ball alongside him, when the score was already on 28, and no one – only Shimron Hetmyer passed 18 – was able to offer sufficient support in chasing down a mammoth total, with Ravichandran Ashwin promoted to No.3 in the first game after he was tactically retired out.

It was a different story for Pandya's side; after the early wickets of Matthew Wade, Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar, Pandya was expertly supported in successive partnerships by Abhinav Manohar and David Miller, with the latter hitting 31 in just 14 balls, swinging the momentum in the direction of the new table-toppers.

^{Lockie Ferguson claimed three wickets for Gujarat}

None of Rajasthan's bowlers were able to properly stem the flow of boundaries, with Jimmy Neesham a surprise new-ball option. In reply, his compatriot, Lockie Ferguson, bowled quickly and claimed three wickets, including Buttler's.

There was one scare for Gujarat, however, with Pandya taking himself out of the attack mid-over after feeling discomfort in his groin.