The Gujarat Titans (GT) became the first team to qualify for the playoffs in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 after defeating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 62 runs on Tuesday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

An unbeaten half-century from Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan’s fantastic four-wicket haul sealed a spot in the playoffs for GT after a mammoth 62-run win.

Chasing 145 for victory, LSG openers – KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock were off to a cautious start with the bat. 

de Kock smacked the first six of the innings but the opener was caught inside the circle off Yash Dayal’s bowling. Shami then scalped the wicket of the LSG skipper in the 5^th over. 

GT were in trouble after debutant Karan Sharma was caught at short third man. Rashid Khan struck immediately after getting introduced to the attack after Krunal Pandya was out stumped. 

Saha produced the second stumping of the innings after Sai Kishore claimed his maiden IPL wicket to dismiss Ayush Badoni.

GT were 7 down after losing the wickets of Marcus Stoinis and Jason Holder. While Stonis was run-out after a confusion in the middle, Holder was trapped LBW off Rashid Khan’s bowling. 

Sai Kishore scalped his second wicket to dismiss Mohsin Khan before Rashid Khan wrapped the innings with the final two wickets in the 14^th over.

Earlier, GT, who opted to bat first, made three changes – Matthew Wade, Sai Kishore and Yash Dayal were named in the eleven.

LSG made early inroads after Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade were dismissed in the powerplay. First, Saha was caught inside the circle off Mohsin Khan’s bowling. Avesh Khan then dismissed Wade after the left-handed batter was caught behind. 

GT were 35-2 at the end of 6 overs after Shubman Gill played some exquisite shots for four. 

Hardik Pandya was the next batter to depart after the GT skipper was caught behind off Avesh Khan, who scalped his second wicket of the game. 

At the halfway mark, GT were reeling at 59-3. David Miller and Shubman Gill stitched a steady partnership and accelerated after the 15^th over. 

Jason Holder broke the partnership after dismissing Miller. GT were 117-4 with three overs to go after Gill crossed his half-century. 

Rahul Tewatia’s three crucial fours in the final over helped GT reach 144/4 in the first innings. 

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 144/4 (Shubman Gill 63*, David Miller 26; Avesh Khan 2-26)Lucknow Super Giants beat 82 all out (Deepak Hooda 27, Quinton de Kock 11; Rashid Khan 4-24) by 62 runs.