With this win, Gujarat Titans reached eight points from eight games at sixth in IPL 2024 points table. Punjab Kings languish at ninth.
Mullanpur: Gujarat Titans spinners did the star turn as last year’s runners-up beat Punjab Kings by three wickets in a low-scoring affair to bring their IPL 2024 campaign back on track on Sunday. The spin troika of left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmed (2/20), Rashid Khan (1/15) and Sai Kishore (4/33) bowled out Punjab for a paltry 142 in 20 overs. Only opener Prabhsimran Singh (35 off 21 balls) made some useful runs for the home team.
In reply, Gujarat Titans did totter a bit in middle phase before winning in 19.1overs. Skipper Shubman Gill (35) and specialist finisher Rahul Tewatia (36 not out off 18 balls) were prominent scorers in a successful chase. Chasing a low total, Gujarat Titans didn’t start well with Wriddhiman Saha falling cheaply. From there it was Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan who revived the sinking ship with a 41-run stand. However, Punjab Kings came back into the game through Liam Livingstone.
The Englishman dismissed both Gill and David Miller in quick successions as what followed was a middle-order collapse by the visitors. But it was Tewatia who kept his cool to guide the team home. Earlier, Sai Kishore foxed an ill-equipped Punjab Kings batting line-up.
Struggling up till now, Prabhsimran Singh (35 off 21) found some much needed rhythm before he fell in the sixth over, triggering a dramatic collapse. Soon after guiding Mohit for a six over third man, Prabhsimran charged down the wicket only to be caught behind.
The spin trio then broke the backbone of Punjab batting. Left-arm spinner Sai Kishore, who led Tamil Nadu to the Ranji Trophy semi-final this season, varied his pace effectively to trouble the opposition batters. Pressure was maintained from other end as well via Noor and Rashid.
Noor’s first victim was Rilee Rossouw (9 off 7), who was trapped lbw while attempting a sweep shot. Skipper Sam Curran (20 off 19) departed in the following over from Rashid and the DRS call that ruled him lbw left him and his opponents surprised.
His English teammate Livingstone (6 off 9) tried to work a Noor googly towards mid-wicket but leading edge went to Rahul Tewatia stationed at the first slip. Sai Kishore also got rid of an out of sorts Jitesh Sharma (13 off 12) to make it 86 for five in 12th over.
As often has been the case this season, the uncapped duo of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma were required to do the heavy lifting but they fell cheaply this time to make matters worse for Punjab. Thanks to Harpreet Brar (29 off 12), the hosts got past the 140-run mark.