Published on: Apr 14, 2023
Pacer Mohit Sharma (2/18) shone for Gujarat Titans (GT) on debut, while Shubman Gill contributed 67 off 49 balls as GT beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets in match number 18 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday, April 13. Gujarat bowled first after winning the toss and restricted Punjab to 153/8. They then chased down the target in 19.5 overs.
Punjab got off to a horror start with the bat as Prabhsimran Singh (0) was sent back by Mohammed Shami in the first over. Captain Shikhar Dhawan registered a rare failure. He was dismissed for 8 as he looked to loft Josh Little.
Matthew Short top-scored for the franchise with 36 off 24 balls. He hit six fours and a six before being cleaned up by a googly from Rashid Khan. Jitesh Sharma scored 25 before being sent back by Mohit Sharma. Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored a slow 20 off 26 and hit a full toss from Alzarri Joseph to the fielder at deep midwicket. Sam Curran contributed a run-a-ball 22 and became Mohit Sharma’s second victim of the day. A cameo from Shahrukh Khan (22 off 9) took Punjab past 150.
It wasn’t enough though as Wriddhiman Saha (30 off 19) and Gill added 48 in quick time to set up the chase. Saha became Kagiso Rabada’s 100th IPL victim – the fastest bowler to reach the landmark – pulling the pacer to deep square leg.
Sai Sudharsan was out for 19 off 20, while Gujarat captain Hardik Pandya fell to Harpreet Brar for 8. Gill, however, hit seven fours and a six as GT progressed towards victory. They left it a bit too late for comfort and Gill’s dismissal to Curran in the last over brought some excitement into the game. However, Rahul Tewatia scooped the left-arm seamer over fine leg for the winning four.
Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Mohit Sharma commented, “I have had a good time at this venue. I thought of sticking to my variations, had a chat with Hardik in the middle overs, luckily it paid off.
“You need to train hard, give your 100 percent. Need to bowl according to the situation, and stick to the basics. I was given a role to bowl after 10 overs. Credit goes to the coach who has defined everyone’s role in the team,” he added.
–By A Cricket Correspondent
