GT books berth in IPL finals

Gujarat Titans produced a clinical chase against Rajasthan Royals with David Miller and captain Hardik Pandya playing the starring roles as they entered the final with a seven-wicket win in Kolkata. Chasing 189, David Miller hit an unbeaten 68 while Pandya made 40 no as the IPL debutant overhauled the target in 19.3 overs to finish with 191/3. GT, the table-toppers of the league stage, will play finals.

David Miller, Player of the Match, said, ‘I think opportunity, firstly (what’s changed?). I’ve been given a role, I felt extremely backed from the outset. My personal game – I’m enjoying my role, I’ve been playing for many years now. Understanding my game a lot better. In high-pressure situations you tend to go away from your gameplan but I feel like I’m trying to keep everything together close to the gameplan. There has been a lot of going wide to me on the off-side, so I decided actually for the first time to step across. Backed myself and went with it.

The rest I tried to hit as hard as possible. That’s the joys of IPL – you play for different teams, get to meet different players. It was a new team so there are a few butterflies here and there. From the first win, everything sort of aligned. You have to control what you can, can’t think too much ahead. Concentrate on your breathing, and if it’s in your area, you have to capitalise. We’ve got a few days off. There’s a bus trip back, we’ll have a few drinks and celebrate.’

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