Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 25: In a thrilling IPL encounter, Punjab Kings (PBKS) edged past Gujarat Titans (GT) by 11 runs in a high-scoring affair on Tuesday. Defending a massive total of 243/5, Punjab restricted Gujarat to 232/5, securing their first win of the season.
Gujarat Titans began their chase with a strong opening partnership between Sai Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill, who put together a 61-run stand. However, Punjab struck back when Glenn Maxwell dismissed Gill for 33.
Sudharsan continued to shine, playing a blistering knock of 74 runs off 41 balls, including five fours and six sixes. But his innings came to an end when left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh had him dismissed, leaving Gujarat at 145/2 in 12.3 overs.
Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford kept Gujarat’s hopes alive with a 54-run partnership. Buttler reached his half-century but was bowled out for 54 by Marco Jansen. Rahul Tewatia followed soon after, scoring just six runs before being run out.
With Gujarat needing quick runs, Rutherford fought hard, scoring 46 off 28 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. However, Arshdeep Singh returned to strike once again, dismissing Rutherford and putting Punjab on the brink of victory.
Arshdeep was the standout bowler for Punjab, finishing with figures of 2/36 in his four overs. Marco Jansen and Glenn Maxwell also contributed with a wicket each, helping Punjab secure the win.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Gujarat opted to bowl first. Punjab’s debutant, Priyansh Arya, gave the team a flying start, helping them reach 50 in just 4.3 overs. Arya played an explosive knock of 47 off 23 balls, smashing seven boundaries and two sixes before falling to Rashid Khan, leaving PBKS at 79/2.
Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai made an immediate impact with a six off Rashid Khan’s first delivery, but he was dismissed for 16 off 15 balls by Sai Kishore. Kishore then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck.
Marcus Stoinis joined Iyer at the crease, and the duo stitched together a crucial 57-run partnership before Stoinis was dismissed for 20 by Kishore.
Punjab surged past 200 in 17.4 overs, with Iyer and Shashank Singh accelerating in the final overs. Their explosive 81-run partnership propelled Punjab to an imposing total. Iyer remained unbeaten on 97, while Shashank played a fiery cameo, scoring 44 off 16 balls, including attacking Mohammed Siraj in the final over.
For Gujarat, Sai Kishore was the standout bowler, taking three wickets for 30 runs, while Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada picked up one wicket each. However, all of Gujarat’s bowlers faced a tough outing against Punjab’s aggressive batting.
Brief Score:
- Punjab Kings: 243/5 (Shreyas Iyer 97*, Priyansh Arya 47; Sai Kishore 3/30)
- Gujarat Titans: 232/5 (Sai Sudharsan 74, Jos Buttler 54; Arshdeep Singh 2/36)