IPL2024: Gujarat Titans defeat Punjab Kings by 3 wickets

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Punjab Kings had a strong start thanks to an opening partnership of 52 runs between captain Sam Curran and Prabhsimran Singh. But after that, the Gujarat Titans’ spinners choked their hitters till they were out of the game. They were first taken aback by the powerplay between Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan, an Afghan duo, before Sai Kishore took over. The Indian spinner finished with 4/33 as the Punjab Kings were dismissed for 142 runs in 20 overs.

Even though Liam Livingstone made a heroic attempt to take two significant wickets in the middle overs using both leg-break and off-spin, the Punjab Kings were unable to get any assistance from fellow spinner Harpreet Brar. Brar had a difficult game; in four overs, he let up 35 runs in a low scoring match.

Prabhsimran Singh got off to a great start, but PBKS lost all direction when the bowler was bowled by Mohit Sharma with an individual score of 35 off 21. After four overs, Sai Kishore had four wickets for 33 runs.

Rahul Tewatia’s vital cameo, which helped the Gujarat Titans win comfortably in 19.1 overs with 42 runs required off 30 balls, was instrumental in relieving pressure and leading his side to victory. Tewatia finished undefeated with 36 runs off just 16 balls.

After Punjab counterpunched and removed both Shahrukh and Rashid Khan in the same over, there was a little drama, but GT still won to move up to sixth position, one spot above of the Mumbai Indians, and record their fourth victory of the season.

Shubman Gill, Titans captain: “Like to finish it early but good to get those two points. Out there, I just want to play as a batter, not thinking about captaincy. He was trying to rush me. The ball I got out to, I would have made that decision whatever.”

Player of the match is R Sai Kishore: “Trying to give 120% for the team, playing after some time I was enjoying myself and giving my best. Be fearless and play for the team, whatever the result is. Into the wicket, change of pace was the way to go. Rashid and Noor bowled beautifully.”

Sam Curran: “Yeah. The effort with the ball was incredible, the fight from the team was amazing. Wasn’t meant to be again. They’ve got some world-class spinners and Sai Kishore bowled really well. I thought we got up to a decent score but they got over the line in the end. Anything above 160-165 would have been tough. I thought the way we bowled we gave ourselves a chance. We lost wickets in clusters. Know what we need to do know, can’t lose many more games.”