'Smooth sailing' - Lockie Ferguson's sizzling spell takes Gujarat Titans to second win on the trot

Gujarat Titans are up and running in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2o22. A second win on the trot for Hardik Pandya’s men as Delhi Capitals suffered a 14–run defeat against them. The match was well in balance for the major part but Lockie Ferguson’s fiery spell proved to be the decisive factor . His four-fer rattled DC’s batting order and sealed the win for the Titans. Besides him, Shubman Gill also played a remarkable 84-run knock.

Earlier in the match, Delhi Capitals, who defeated Mumbai Indians in their opening fixture, won the toss and opted to bowl at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Playing his first game of the season, Mustafizur Rahman made an immediate impact as he dismissed Matthew Wade in the first over. However, the other GT opener, Shubman Gill, was at his fluent best as he played some delightful shots early on.

Shubman Gill brought up his highest score in T20 cricket

While Vijay Shankar couldn’t contribute much, Gill found a substantial partner in skipper Hardik Pandya. The duo steadied the ship for the Titans and played some delightful shots in the process. While Hardik fell prey to Khaleel Ahmed for 31, Gill notched up his maiden fifty of the season. He shifted gears after reaching the landmark and brought up his highest score in T20 cricket, 84.

David Miller and Rahul Tewatia played some handy shots towards the end as the Titans posted 171/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Capitals lost Tim Seifert in the very second over. While Prithvi Shaw and Mandeep Singh played some good shots, they were dismissed for 10 and 18 runs respectively. The onus was then on skipper Rishabh Pant to steady the ship.

The southpaw joined forces with Lalit Yadav and the duo added 61 runs for the fourth wicket. Just when the contest looked well in balance, Lalit was run-out amid a misunderstanding while running between the wickets. Nonetheless, Pant seemed like a man on a mission as his attractive shots kept the required run-rate under control.

However, he eventually fell prey to Lockie Ferguson, who took a four-fer in the game. While Rovman Powell scored 20 runs, there was no contribution whatsoever from DC’s lower order. The Capitals were eventually restricted to 157/9, losing the contest by 14 runs.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitter reacted to Gujarat Titans’ win:

Top win for @gujarat_titans what a performance by @ShubmanGill @hardikpandya7 @MdShami11 #lockieferguson .. Mai keha nehra ji mubarkaaaaa 💥🤗

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 2, 2022

Sarum ramya Gujratis 👍 bowlers have won that game for the titans ! Very well led by @hardikpandya7 great spell @MdShami11 #lockiefurguson !! Great knock @ShubmanGill but still need to make improvements in death hitting ! Aur yeh nehra ji ki smile offside 😁 #DCvsGT #IPL2022

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 2, 2022

It is 2nd April. The team coached by Gary Kirsten had to win 😊 #GTvsDC #IPL2022

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 2, 2022

Ohhhh awww… @ShubmanGill all smooth & timing! His best ever #T20 score 👏 84 off 46💥 #DCvGT #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/mTj6Y5Babd

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) April 2, 2022

#GT is very impressive team specially under hardik pandya captaincy. Well played. Now can't wait for Hardik Pandya vs Mumbai Indians. #GTvsDC #GTvDC

— ❣𝓚𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓲❣🇮🇳 (@Kasturi_FanGirl) April 2, 2022

Us to the Fizz rn 💙#YehHaiNayiDilli #GTvDC #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/jskH8Lb6y6

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 2, 2022

🎯⚡ BANG ON! Lockie Ferguson has registered his personal best bowling figures in IPL with an excellent 4️⃣fer tonight!

📸 IPL • #LockieFerguson #GTvDC #DCvGT #IPL #IPL2022 #TATAIPL #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/torbW19vJb

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) April 2, 2022

Ferguson, Shami and Pandya all of them bowling at 140 plus and the smart uses of short pitch bowling is something stood out in this #GTvsDC game. #IPL2022

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) April 2, 2022

Gujarat Titans surely had the better bowling plan. Use the short ball well. Delhi capitals must be disappointed, they had game in their hand! #GujaratTitans

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 2, 2022

Hardik Pandya went for the attack as a captain by bowling Lockie Ferguson in the 15th & 17th over then Rashid in the 16th over and at the end it paid off – being a captain for the first time, he has been fearless. Very good start.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 2, 2022

Lockie Ferguson⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Y8vF8b1FRO

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 2, 2022