Captain Hardik Pandya’s absence due to stiffness in his groin was certainly a massive blow to Gujarat Titans going into the clash versus Chennai Super Kings at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Sunday.

But stand-in skipper Rashid Khan (40 off 21 balls), with the bat on this occasion, stepped up to deliver. And with David Miller (94 not out off 51 balls) playing a gem of an innings, the Titans prevailed in the thriller, beating the Super Kings by three wickets with a ball to spare.

The come-from-behind victory extends the newcomers’ lead at the top of the standings. While for Chennai, this was their fifth defeat in six matches. Earning a play-offs berth now becomes much harder for Chennai.

In pursuit of a 170-run target after Chennai rode Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 73 to post 169 for 5, Miller was fighting a lone battle till Rashid joined him in the middle. The Titans had a horrible start to their chase as they were reduced to 48/4 at one stage.

When Rashid walked in, the Titans required 83 off 44 balls. The Miller-Rashid duo brought the equation down to 48 required off the last three overs. Then came that game-turning 18th over when Rashid mauled the horribly misfiring Chris Jordan for three sixes and a four. The over cost Chennai 25 runs.

Dwayne Bravo (3/23) then sent Rashid back in the penultimate over, after Miller and the ace Afghanistan leg-spinner had stitched 70 for the sixth wicket. Bravo’s double strike had left the Titans with 13 required off the final over.

Surprisingly, Chennai captain Ravindra Jadeja again brought on Jordan for the final over. Jordan’s third ball was a loose one and Miller deposited it over fine leg for a maximum.

Off the next, Jordan had Miller caught at short third man, but that was above waist height and so ruled a no-ball. Miller then swatted the free hit for a boundary and picked up two off the next to seal it for the Titans.

Without Hardik, it was a sensational win for the Titans. For CSK, it was a lack of killer instinct.

Rashid’s formula

Rashid Khan went wicketless in his four overs. But the Gujarat Titans stand-in captain made a tremendous contribution with the bat in the form of a 21-ball 40 in his team’s three-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.

“It’s special to deliver with the bat. I consider myself an all-rounder, so I want to fulfil that responsibility,” Rashid said at the post-match presentation.

Rashid slammed Chris Jordan for 25 in the 18th over, which shifted the momentum in favour of the Titans. Talking about that game-changing over, Rashid said: “I stayed focused and tried to hit the ball hard.”