Ahmedabad (TIP)- Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill’s unbeaten half-century was overshadowed by uncapped Shashank Singh’s fiery knock as Punjab Kings registered a thrilling three-wicket win in an IPL match here on April 4. Gill made 89 off 48 balls, the highest individual score this season, and in the process hit six fours and four sixes to guide GT to an imposing 199/4. He was also helped by B Sai Sudharsan’s 19-ball 33 and Rahul Tewatia’s eight-ball unbeaten 23.
But there was a heartbreak in store for GT as Shashank played the knock of his life, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 29 balls during which he hit six boundaries and four sixes to guide PBKS home with a ball to spare.
“Yet to sink in. Visualised all these things, but when it turned into reality… proud of the effort,” said Shashank, who was named the Player of the Match.
He was ably supported by Ashutosh Sharma (31 off 17) as the duo shared 43 runs off just 22 balls to raise PBKS’ hopes, which eventually came true. Chasing a big total, PBKS suffered an early jolt in the form of captain Shikhar Dhawan, who played an Umesh Yadav delivery onto the stumps while going for a shot through the cover region. Jonny Bairstow (22 off 13) was then cleaned up by Afghanistan left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad. PBKS kept on losing wickets at regular intervals as the next to follow was Prabhsimran Singh (35 off 24), caught by Mohit Sharma at short third-man, as the batter went for a heave against a tossed-up delivery from Ahmad only to get a top edge as PBKS slid to 64/3 by the end of the eighth over. Sikandar Raza was dropped twice in Umesh Yadav’s 11th over, albeit both were difficult chances.
But it was Shashank who capitalised on the lives, clobbering Umesh for two fours and a six to pick up 17 runs in the 11th over. He kept on using his long handle, picking up a few boundaries and sixes to keep PBKS in the hunt and brought up his 50 off just 25 balls.
Brief Scores: GT: 199/4 in 20 overs (Gill 89, Sudharsan 33 Williamson 26; Rabada 2/44); Punjab Kings: 200/7 in 19.5 overs (Shashank 61*, Prabhsimran 35, Ashutosh 31; Ahmad 2/32).
Source: PTI
Tag: Gujarat Titans
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IPL 17 : Shashank leads PBKS to second-highest successful chase against Gujarat Titans
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Mumbai Indians edge past Gujarat Titans, win by 5 runs
Mumbai (TIP)- Pacer Daniel Sams displayed ice-cool temperament as he conceded just three runs in the last over to help Mumbai Indians pull off a stunning five-run victory over table-toppers Gujarat Titans in an IPL game.
MI were seemingly down and out with the Titans’ opening pair of Wriddhiman Saha (55 off 40 balls) and Shubman Gill (52 off 36 balls) sharing a 106-run partnership in 12.1 overs while chasing 178. However, the Titans kept losing wickets, including two crucial run-outs as they required nine runs in the last over to win the match. They could score just three, while losing one wicket to slump to their second successive defeat in the season.
For MI, who were already out of contention for a play-off berth, it was only their second win of the season as they remained at the bottom. Opting to bowl, Gujarat restricted MI to 177 for six, despite quickfire innings from opening pair of Rohit Sharma (43 off 28 balls) and Ishan Kishan (45 off 29 balls) and Tim David (44 not out off 21 balls).
Rashid Khan was the most successful bowler for the Titans with his two wickets for 24, while Pradeep Sangwan and Lockie Ferguson got one each. Alzarri Joseph also took a wicket but he bled 41 runs in his four overs.
Chasing 178, Saha looked in full flow as he cracked two fours and a six off Jasprit Bumrah’s first over, before smashing Riley Meredith for two boundaries.
Shubman Gill slog-swept Murugan Ashwin for a six, before picking up another four as the fifty-run stand came up in quick time, taking the Titans to 54 for one in six overs. The Chandigarh batter exploded in the eighth over with three boundaries off Daniel Sams, who had bowled a briliant opening over.
Kumar Kartikeya was next in line as he yielded 15 runs with Saha smashing his first ball for a four and Gill producing a clean hit over long off before slog-sweeeping the bowler for another four.
Soon, 100 was up in 11 overs with Saha also completing his fifty.
Gill too joined him as his single off Pollard took him to a 33-ball half-century.
Both Saha and Gill smashed six boundaries and two maximums each.
A bizzare hit wicket ended Sai Sudharsan’s (14) innings, while Hardik Pandya (24) fall short after going for an unnecessary single.
Needing 20 off last two overs, Miller deposited Bumrah over deep mid-wicket but the Titans couldn’t score nine of the last over lose the match.
Earlier, invited to bat, Rohit seemed to be in good touch after a series of low scores as he took the early initiative, dominating the proceedings with his strokeplay as Kishan played the second fiddle. The MI skipper was particularly harsh on Joseph as he smashed the bowler for four boundaries and a six, while Kishan joined the party in the fifth over, slamming Rashid Khan for a couple of fours to bring up their 50-run partnership.
Rohit then hit Lockie Ferguson for a four as MI posted 63 for no loss, their best in the powerplay this season.
Rashid produced the breakthrough in the eighth over, removing the dangerous Rohit, who was trapped in front while looking to play a reverse shot.
Kishan then took over, dancing down the pitch to send Rahul Tewatia over mid-wicket. Suryakumar Yadav produced his trademark whip for a maximum but perished in his next attempt off Pradeep Sangwan. Back into the attack, Joseph then struck with a slower delivery which Kishan ended up sending to Rashid at mid-wicket as MI slipped to 111 for 3 in 12 overs.
Source: PTI