Welcome to our live coverage of the 31 match of IPL, between table toppers Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils in Rajkot.
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But despite the shock loss, Gujarat are still at the top of the standings with 12 points from eight matches.
Chasing a target of 155, Gujarat Lions were tottering at 39 for five at the end of seventh over and the match. Gujarat’s strength has been consistent performances from their top order which has seen them ahieve scores of around 200 runs on a regular basis. This could mean either Dwayne Smith or Brendon McCullum could sit out.
The memory of their previous encounter, just last Tuesday, might still be etched in players’ and fans’ minds alike as we witnessed a display of incredibly clean hitting by Chris Morris, a 32 ball 82, littered with 4 fours and 8 sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 256.25 that almost lifted his team to victory chasing 173 to win. The only point of concern is the lower-middle order with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo struggling with the bat.
Suresh Raina’s Gujarat Lions will be aiming to come one step closer to qualifying for the knock-outs but they will be aware that Delhi Daredevils will be eyeing revenge after their one-run loss in their previous encounter.
The Gujarat bowling has also been effective with pacers Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni in good form along with Faulkner.
Delhi, meanwhile, are upbeat after beating former champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their last match.
The ever-improving Daredevils are not far behind as they are placed third with eight points from six games.
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South African Quinton de Kock, who hit season’s first century by making 108 off just 51 balls, could not continue his batting form while other opener Shreyas Iyer is going through prolonged lean patch.
