Wade plays key role to get new franchise Gujarat off the mark

Matthew Wade has made a successful return to the Indian Premier League after an 11 year absence, helping new franchise Gujarat Titans to their maiden win on debut, defeating the competition's other new franchise Lucknow Super Giants in a last-over thriller in Mumbai.

Wade completed the catch from the very first ball of the match – after Gujarat reviewed – with Lucknow recruit KL Rahul edging Mohammed Shami behind.

Then, opening the batting for Gujurat after playing three games with the then-named Delhi Daredevils in 2011, hit 30 off 29 balls before being bowled attempting a slog sweep.

Rahul Tewatia took Gujarat over the line with two balls remaining, hitting an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls. Hardik Pandya and David Miller also perished in the 30s.

Lucknow had recovered from 4-29 to post 6-158 with Mohammed Shami taking 3-25 in his four overs.

With Wade kickstarting the innings, Gujarat reached the mid-point in control at 2-72 but only managed 19 runs in the next five overs. Miller and Tewatia then took 39 off the next two overs providing enough momentum for Titans to score a winning 5-161.

There was a game within the game as Krunal Pandya dismissed younger brother Hardik, the first time he had bowled to him in a competitive match.

The teams were acquired for a combined $US1.67bn ($A2.23 bn) in the IPL's first expansion for nine years.

The RPSG Group, an Indian multinational, paid US$930m (A$1.2 bn) for the Lucknow franchise while British Venture capitalists CVC Partners won Ahmedabad-based Titans for US$740m (A$990 m).

Titans went on to invest US$5m on three marquee players, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill, later adding Lockie Ferguson, Miller and Wade, who was bought for A$446,000 after his impressive showing in last year's T20 World Cup win by Australia.

Lucknow spent US$1m less on their initial hires, hiring KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis and Ravi Bishnoi. Quinton de Kock and Jason Holder were among those subsequently recruited with Australian Andrew Tye signing late last week to replace the injured Mark Wood.

International commitments kept Stoinis and Holder off the park. With Rahul caught by Wade first ball, and de Kock also among three wickets claimed in Shami's opening burst, Lucknow needed an unlikely hero.

They found two in newly-capped Deepak Hooda and 22-year-old newcomer Ayush Badoni. 

Coming together at four down in the fifth over they put on 87 in 11 overs. When Hooda perished for 55 off 41 balls Badoni took up the cudgels hitting 54 in 41 balls. A late thrash from Krunal Pandya (21no off 13), despite Ferguson bowling at 150 kph, gave Super Giants a score they very nearly defended.

The 2022 Indian Premier League will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports and live streamed on Kayo

Australians in IPL 2022

Delhi Capitals: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner

Gujarat Titans: Matthew Wade

Kolkata Knight Riders: Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch

Lucknow Super Giants: Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

Mumbai Indians: Tim David, Daniel Sams, Riley Meredith

Punjab Kings: Nathan Ellis

Rajasthan Royals: Nathan Coulter-Nile

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Jason Behrendorff