Gujarat Titans make it 3 in 3 as they beat the Punjab Kings in a close finish at the Brabourne Stadium.
Winning the toss and deciding to bowl first, Gujarat Titans put Punjab Kings in to bat first.
Punjab had a rather finicky start as Mayank Agarwal did not score at the start. Even Jonny Bairstow had a hard time out in the middle.
It was once again Shikhar Dhawan and Liam Livingstone who put up a partnership that kept PBKS going.
After the dismissal of Dhawan, it was once again Livingstone who tried to keep the Punjab Kings balanced.
Jitesh Sharma was once again good with the bat but the rest of the tail-enders were out quickly.
Only Rahul Chahar showed some resistance at the end taking the team score to 189/9.
Gujarat had a stiff target of 190 runs to chase.
Matthew Wade was out quickly scoring just 6 runs.
It was then Shubman Gill who played a fantastic knock of 96 off 59 and got out just towards the fag end of the second innings.
Even the new youngster Sai Sudharsan played a good knock of 35. Hardik Pandya too played good.
It was then superstar Rahul Tewatia who hit two massive sixes off Odean Smith in the last over that took the game away from Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans won by 6 wickets.
Player of the Match
Shubman Gill for his 96 off 59 balls.
Post Match Reactions
Mayank Agarwal, Punjab Kings skipper said that they were 5-10 runs short although 189 looked a pretty stiff target to chase. Praised the team to take the total that high although they lost wickets in a cluster in the middle overs. Also praised Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh for bowling brilliantly in the middle overs. Ended by saying that Odean Smith had a bad day today but he has the backing of the whole team.
Hardik Pandya, Gujarat Titans captain said that every game has its ups and downs and that he has become neutral to such situations. Praised Rahul Tewatia for his hard-hitting although he only had three balls left to take his team over the line. Also lauded Shubman Gill for showing a lot of maturity in today’s game. Added that Sai Sudharsan too did well by providing support to Shubman in the middle. Ended by saying that he looks in great shape and hopes to do well in each game.
Next Match
Punjab Kings will next play Mumbai Indians on the 13th of April at MCA Stadium in Pune while Gujarat Titans will be up against Sunrisers Hyderabad on the 11th of April at Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
