Gujarat Titans defeat Punjab Kings in a nail-biter
Thanks to Shubman Gill's beautiful 96 at the top and Rahul Tewatia's final over heroics with two sixes in the final two deliveries that secured the chase.
The Gujarat Titans (GT) has won three consecutive matches in the IPL after defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets on Friday at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium.
Gujarat Titans successfully chased down the goal of 190 in a game that went down to the penultimate delivery, thanks to Shubman Gill's beautiful 96 at the top and Rahul Tewatia's final over heroics with two sixes in the final two deliveries that secured the chase.
Chasing 190, the Gujarat Titans lost Mathew Wade early in the innings after the left-handed hitter was caught behind. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, performed exquisite strokes at the top and had wonderful timing with the ball.
The start of GT was not good. After the early wicket of Matthew Wade, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharshan built a partnership of 101 runs and brought GT out of its initial jolt. Sudharshan scored 35 runs.
Later, Hardik Pandya joined Gill, and both batsmen were determined to finish the game, but in the 19th over, Shubhman Gill was caught by Mayank Agarwal off Ragiso Rabada, and skipper Hardik Pandya joined him immediately.
Two new batsmen, David Miller and Rahul Tewatia, were on the crease in the final over, and GT required 19 runs in the final over. GT needed to score 19 runs in five balls.GT scored five runs in three balls and needed 12 runs in the last two balls, and it was Rahul Tewatia who hit two consecutive sixes to seal the win for GT.
The Punjab Kings, who were given the opportunity to bat first, made one change. Jonny Bairstow was selected for the elven.Gujarat Titans got off to a good start with the ball, as skipper Hardik Pandya removed opposing captain Mayank Agarwal, who was caught inside the circle for 5.
Shikhar Dhawan and Liam Livingstone put on a crucial 50-run stand for their team.
Shikhar Dhawan scored 35 runs, and Livingstone scored 64 runs. PBKS' Jitesh Sharma and Rahul Chahar scored 23 and 22 runs, respectively, to post a 190-run target for GT.
For GT Afghanistan, spinner Rashid Khan proved most successful as he picked up three wickets. Darshan Nalkande picked up two wickets. Mohammad Shami, Hardik Pandya, and Lockie Ferguson picked up a wicket each.
For PBKS, Kagiso Rabada picked up two wickets and Rahul Chahar got one wicket.
