“If Hardik was there…”- Netizens think Hardik Pandya-less Gujarat Titans performing poorly in IPL as the two-time finalists score their lowest-ever total

This lowest score came after three days of teams scoring 200+ in the IPL.

“If Hardik was there…”- Netizens think Hardik Pandya-less Gujarat Titans performing poorly in IPL as the two-time finalists score their lowest-ever total

Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans (Image via ESPN)

The 2024 IPL has finally seen the first team to be bowled out under 100 runs on 17th April, 2024. Gujarat Titans (GT) were bowled out for just 89 runs by Delhi Capitals (DC), who then chased it down in just 9.5 overs. 

Electing to bowl first, DC’s decision paid off as they picked up four wickets in the powerplay. DC’s spinners then took over in the middle overs, as Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel gave only 33 runs in eight overs. Mukesh Kumar was the pick of the bowlers, as he ended the innings with figures of 3/14. 

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DC started their chase with a bang, with opener Jake Fraser-McGurk scoring 20 off 10. He hit Sandeep Warrier for a six on his very first delivery, and ended his innings with two sixes and boundaries. 

Abhishek Porel, Shai Hope and Rishabh Pant ended the innings by hitting as many boundaries as possible, finishing the chase with 67 balls to spare. Pant was awarded the player of the match award for his performance behind the stumps, being involved in four dismissals. 

Fans mock Gujarat Titans for subpar performance 

Fans mocked GT for their poor performance against DC. They mocked GT’s terrible batting show at home and praised Pant for his captaincy. Some fans wondered if the same result would occur if Hardik Pandya was still captain of the side. 

Rishabh Pant Abhinav Manohar Delhi Capitals
Rishabh Pant stumps Abhinav Manohar (Image via ESPN)

Check out fans’ reactions:

This is DC’s third win of the season and it gets them to 6th in the points table. The win has also boosted their Net Run Rate, but they still lie in the negatives.

Meanwhile GT drop to 7th, below DC. Pant’s side will play for the first time at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on 20th April, hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad. GT will play the next day, facing the Punjab Kings. 

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