In a historic moment for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the toss ceremony in Ahmedabad on Sunday featured a captivating display of brotherly rivalry as Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Hardik Pandya and his Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) counterpart Krunal Pandya strode out to the pitch. For the first time in IPL history, two siblings faced off as opposing captains, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes encounter.
While the dynamic duo has previously competed against each other on several occasions, this was the first instance where they found themselves on opposite sides of the leadership divide. Such an unprecedented event only adds to the rich legacy of the IPL, which continues to captivate cricket fans across the globe with its unique blend of skill, passion, and drama.
Hardik remembers his father
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) won the toss and decided to put the Gujarat Titans (GT) into bat first. However, GT captain Hardik Pandya remained undeterred and stated that they would have elected to bat first anyway. In a poignant moment, Hardik paid tribute to his late father, who passed away in 2021, by stating that he would have been immensely proud of their achievements as brothers and professional cricketers.
“We would have batted first. I told him a secret of the toss and let that be. Obviously, a very emotional day and our father would have been proud of us. He dreamt of it. We are short of words and the family is emotional. Yes, I would like the boys to win here and own this place and express themselves.”, Hardik exclaimed at the time of the toss.
GT put LSG to the ground
In a masterclass display of batting prowess, the Gujarat Titans (GT) set the stage alight as they made a mockery of Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) bowling attack. The formidable opening duo of Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill proved to be a thorn in LSG’s side, piling on an astounding 142 runs for the first wicket. Saha played a scintillating inning, smashing 81 runs, while Gill remained unbeaten on 94, propelling GT to a colossal total of 227 runs for the loss of just two wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, LSG appeared to be on track initially, with the explosive pair of Kyle Mayers and Quinton de Kock putting up a solid 88-run partnership for the first wicket. Despite the inclusion of de Kock, who was playing his first match this season, LSG failed to sustain their momentum, falling short of the target by a whopping 56 runs.
Even though LSG boasted several power hitters in their ranks, they failed to keep up with the required run rate, ultimately succumbing to the brilliance of Mohit Sharma, who put on a stellar performance, claiming four wickets for a mere 29 runs. Even though Krunal Pandya is the elder of the two Pandya brothers, it was Hardik who triumphed and emerged victorious.
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