IPL 2024 witnessed a thrilling encounter as Punjab Kings (PBKS) clinched a narrow victory against Gujarat Titans (GT) by three wickets, sparking reactions from the cricket community. Shashank Singh emerged as the hero with an impressive knock of 61*
Punjab Kings (PBKS) made IPL history by successfully chasing down a target of 200 or more runs for the sixth time in the tournament’s history, achieving this milestone against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 17th match of IPL 2024 held in Ahmedabad.
Winning the toss, Shikhar Dhawan, the captain of PBKS, elected to field first. GT set a challenging target of 199/4, led by an outstanding innings from their captain, Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeaten 89 runs, including 6 fours and 4 sixes. Gill received valuable contributions from Kane Williamson (26), Sai Sudharsan (33 off 19 balls), and Rahul Tewatia (23* off 8 balls). Kagiso Rabada from PBKS managed to secure 2 wickets during GT’s innings.
In response, PBKS faced an early setback as Umesh Yadav dismissed their captain, Shikhar Dhawan, for just 1 run. Following that, the Afghan duo of Noor Ahmad and Azmatullah Omarzai claimed crucial wickets of Jonny Bairstow (22), Prabhsimran Singh (35), and Sam Curran, respectively.
At one point, PBKS needed 41 from 18 balls and then Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma got together to ruin the chances of GT winning the game. Ashutosh played a blinder of 31 in 17 balls after Jitesh Sharma had taken Rashid Khan to the cleaners, scoring 16 in 8 balls.
Ashutosh and Shashank Singh added 43 runs for the 7th wicket, while Shashank remained unbeaten on 61 in 29 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. PBKS won the game in the last over with 3 wickets in hand.
This was the sixth time PBKS chased down a total of 200 or more in IPL, achieving an IPL record.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for Player of the Match Shashank Singh’s brilliant knock and lauded the PBKS team for their win.
Well played, young man 💪 https://t.co/NsfbD5Sm8s
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 4, 2024
Chak de Shashank!
Cha Gaye Shashank! #SaddaPunjab #GTvPBKS.— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) April 4, 2024
What a chase! Shashank Singh 🤌🏼 That cameo by Ashutosh Sharma to conquer the target was delightful to watch! #IPL2024 #GTvsPBKS
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) April 4, 2024
Confusion at the auction table a few months ago with Shashank and lo and behold, he wins the game single-handedly for Punjab #GTVSPBKS . Great to see new heroes!
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 4, 2024
Shashank Singh hun naam di galti nhi hoyegi. What an incredible innings 🫡 #PBKSvsGT #ipl2024
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) April 4, 2024
The depth in Indian cricket on view today for @PunjabKingsIPL with Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 4, 2024
Shashank singh shows solid power game today. He is the same with whom Punjab had controversy during auction.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 4, 2024
Fabulous run chase by Punjab, lower order batsmen coming good to upset Gujarat and ti make it a melee in thr middle band in the points table
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 4, 2024
Great game of cricket. Lot of credit to Shashank & Ashutosh, the uncapped heroes. Looked like a lost game after 14 overs. Looks a better playing 12 this for @PunjabKingsIPL. Not a bad buy Shashank, even if it's an accidental one 😛 #GTvPBKS #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/O1Jk5uBU9H
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 4, 2024
@PunjabKingsIPL 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) April 4, 2024