Twitter Reactions: Samson, Hetmyer dazzle as high-flying Rajasthan Royals edge past Gujarat in nail-biting affair

Rajasthan Royals narrowly won against defending champions Gujarat Titans by three wickets in a thrilling affair. The two finalists of IPL 2022, locked horns in Match 23 of the ongoing season at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Upon winning the toss, Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals decided to put the home side to bat first. The Titans endured an early blow in the form of Wriddhiman Saha’s dismissal, who was sent packing for a mere four runs in the third ball of the contest.

Additionally, Sai Sudharsan too headed back to the dugout after getting 20 runs to his name. Despite the early fall of wickets, Shubman Gill shouldered the responsibility to get vital runs on the board for the side.

Gill and skipper Hardik raised a 59-run partnership to get the derailed innings back on track. The skipper got three boundaries and one maximum and concluded with a score of 28 off 19 balls. Down the order, explosive hitter David Miller injected some momentum and notched up three boundaries and two maximums.

Miller and Gill concluded with scores of 46 and 45 runs, respectively, to hand GT a first-innings score of 177 runs. Meanwhile, Sandeep Sharma got two wickets, whereas Adam Zampa, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult got one wicket apiece.

Samson, Hetmyer unleash wrath during chase

The equation during the chase was quite clear as the Royals required a formidable start to capitalise upon towards the latter phases of the game. However, Mohammed Shami and skipper Hardik struck the blows in quick time with the dismissals of openers Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal for a combined score of one run. 

Rajasthan then decided to bring in Impact Player- Devdutt Padikkal to help infuse the innings with big runs. The southpaw, along with skipper Samson, stitched a 43-run partnership, with the former scoring a delicate 25-ball 26. 

With two maximums and as many boundaries, Padikkal was unable to convert it into a big innings and was eventually sent packing by Rashid Khan. The Afghan spin sensation struck for the second time as he got the scalp of Riyan Parag for just five runs.

Soon after, the skipper decided to shift gears and hammered Rashid for three consecutive maximums and raised his half-century off 29 balls. Shimron Hetmyer, too got into the groove swiftly and got the required runs despite the required run rate shooting up.

After Samson's dismissal (60 off 32 balls), Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel (18 off 10) hammered the rival unit to get the game down to the wire. Hetmyer's blazing cameo of an unbeaten 26-ball 56 managed to steer the side to a ravishing win by three wickets in the final over of Sunday's blockbuster encounter. 

Here is how Twitter buzzed-

Dhawal Kulkarni@dhawal_kulkarni

Hetmyer ला मानला!!!!!!! #HallaBol #RRvsGT #TATAIPL2023 #IPLinMarathi #IPLonJioCinema

11:10 PM · Apr 16, 2023

331

Irfan Pathan@IrfanPathan

Shimron Hetmyer what a finisher…

11:10 PM · Apr 16, 2023

1.1K48

Shai Hope@shaidhope

Hetty! 🔥🔥

11:09 PM · Apr 16, 2023

2088

KSR@KShriniwasRao

Another reminder -- the team to beat this season: #RR

11:10 PM · Apr 16, 2023

23812

Sir BoiesX 🕯@BoiesX45

What a collective powerful performance by Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, Ashwin, and Hetmyer! They won the match from an almost losing position. #GTvRR

11:16 PM · Apr 16, 2023

14517

Vishwajit Patil@_VishwajitPatil

Powerful Win Rajasthan Royal. Hetmyer 💣💥💣💥💣💥 #GTvRR #GTvsRR #RRvsGT #RRvGT #ShimronHetmyer

11:12 PM · Apr 16, 2023

5910

Anuj Nitin Prabhu@APTalksCricket

To even imagine that RR were 4/2 after 3 overs with both Jaiswal and Buttler gone, and they end up winning comfortably. Simply sensational...won't be surprised if RR vs GT is qualifier 1 again.

11:15 PM · Apr 16, 2023

100

Harsha Bhogle@bhogleharsha

Samson and Hetmyer. Simply outstanding. That was some of the best batting in a tricky chase you can see. What a tournament we are having! #TATAIPL2023

11:25 PM · Apr 16, 2023

1.8K100