Ahmedabad (TIP)- Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill’s unbeaten half-century was overshadowed by uncapped Shashank Singh’s fiery knock as Punjab Kings registered a thrilling three-wicket win in an IPL match here on April 4. Gill made 89 off 48 balls, the highest individual score this season, and in the process hit six fours and four sixes to guide GT to an imposing 199/4. He was also helped by B Sai Sudharsan’s 19-ball 33 and Rahul Tewatia’s eight-ball unbeaten 23.
But there was a heartbreak in store for GT as Shashank played the knock of his life, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 29 balls during which he hit six boundaries and four sixes to guide PBKS home with a ball to spare.
“Yet to sink in. Visualised all these things, but when it turned into reality… proud of the effort,” said Shashank, who was named the Player of the Match.
He was ably supported by Ashutosh Sharma (31 off 17) as the duo shared 43 runs off just 22 balls to raise PBKS’ hopes, which eventually came true. Chasing a big total, PBKS suffered an early jolt in the form of captain Shikhar Dhawan, who played an Umesh Yadav delivery onto the stumps while going for a shot through the cover region. Jonny Bairstow (22 off 13) was then cleaned up by Afghanistan left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad. PBKS kept on losing wickets at regular intervals as the next to follow was Prabhsimran Singh (35 off 24), caught by Mohit Sharma at short third-man, as the batter went for a heave against a tossed-up delivery from Ahmad only to get a top edge as PBKS slid to 64/3 by the end of the eighth over. Sikandar Raza was dropped twice in Umesh Yadav’s 11th over, albeit both were difficult chances.
But it was Shashank who capitalised on the lives, clobbering Umesh for two fours and a six to pick up 17 runs in the 11th over. He kept on using his long handle, picking up a few boundaries and sixes to keep PBKS in the hunt and brought up his 50 off just 25 balls.
Brief Scores: GT: 199/4 in 20 overs (Gill 89, Sudharsan 33 Williamson 26; Rabada 2/44); Punjab Kings: 200/7 in 19.5 overs (Shashank 61*, Prabhsimran 35, Ashutosh 31; Ahmad 2/32).
Source: PTI