In a closely fought Indian Premier League encounter, the Gujarat Titans clinched victory against the Punjab Kings by six wickets with just one ball to spare.
The Mohali crowd witnessed an enthralling match where the Titans showcased their mettle in chasing a competitive target set by the Kings.
The Punjab Kings, led by captain Shikhar Dhawan, scored 153/8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Matthew Short being their top scorer, amassing 36 runs off 24 balls. However, the Kings’ innings saw a stuttering start with Prabhsimran Singh and Dhawan departing early.
Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran contributed 25 and 22 runs, respectively, but it was M Shahrukh Khan’s quickfire 22 off just 9 balls that provided the much-needed impetus to the Kings’ total.
Mohammed Shami, Josh Little, Alzarri Joseph, and Rashid Khan each bagged a wicket for the Titans, while Mohit Sharma stood out with two wickets, maintaining an impressive economy rate of just 4.50.
Chasing a target of 154, the Gujarat Titans’ opening batsman Wriddhiman Saha provided a brisk start, scoring 30 off 19 balls before falling prey to Kagiso Rabada.
However, it was Shubman Gill who stole the show with a splendid 67 off 49 balls, including seven fours and a six. Gill’s knock proved pivotal in steering the Titans towards victory.
Sai Sudharsan and Hardik Pandya contributed 19 and 8 runs, respectively, before losing their wickets. David Miller’s unbeaten 17 and Rahul Tewatia’s quick 5 runs off 2 balls helped the Titans cross the finish line in the final over.
The Punjab Kings’ bowling attack struggled to contain the Titans’ batters. Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, and Sam Curran each claimed a wicket, but it was not enough to stop the Titans from achieving their target.
With this victory, the Gujarat Titans have further strengthened their position in the IPL points table, while the Punjab Kings will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.