PBKS dominated the Titans throughout the contest and walked away with a comfortable eight-wicket triumph.
Punjab Kings have recorded a much-needed win and that too against the high-flying Gujarat Titans. Quite contrary to the expectations, PBKS dominated the Titans throughout the contest and walked away with a comfortable eight-wicket triumph. While Kagiso Rabada was Punjab’s stand-out performer with the ball, Shikhar Dhawan smashed a well-paced half-century, making sure there’s no twist in the tale. Liam Livingstone’s brief but entertaining cameo is also worth mentioning.
Earlier in the match, GT won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai. The move didn’t pay dividends by any means as the Titans suffered a top-order collapse. While opener Shubman Gill was unfortunate to get run out cheaply, his opening partner Wriddhiman Saha perished for a 17-ball 21.
Kagiso Rabada breathed fire with the ball
The biggest setback was Hardik Pandya’s ouster for just one run as the GT skipper has been on a roll this season. As the likes of David Miller and Rahul Tewatia were dismissed for 11 runs apiece, GT looked in all sorts of trouble. However, youngster Sai Sudharsan showcased remarkable character and brought his side’s innings back on track.
Despite not getting any support from the other hand, the 20-year-old scored an unbeaten 65 off 50 balls as GT posted a respectable 143/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Kagiso Rabada, who took his second four-wicket haul in IPL 2022, was the pick of the PBKS bowlers. PBKS’ innings didn’t start off well either as Jonny Bairstow, who opened the innings instead of skipper Mayank Agarwal, went back after scoring just one.
However, Shikhar Dhawan then joined forces with Bhanuka Rajapaksa and it was one-way traffic since then. While Dhawan scored yet another half-century and remained unbeaten on 62, Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored a quickfire 40. The proceedings were escalated with Liam Livingstone’s arrival as the England international went absolutely berserk. The dasher scored an unbeaten 30 off just 10 deliveries including a colossal 117-meter six as PBKS crossed the line in just 16 overs, clinching the contest by eight wickets.
Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitter reacted to PBKS’ triumph:
Back to winning ways and getting closer to our objective ✌️😊 pic.twitter.com/s1Q4Fpuei5
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 3, 2022
Shikhar Dhawan is an ipl legend. Has Scored a minimum of 300 runs in 13/15 seasons. Just keeps clocking them season after season. What a player 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 3, 2022
Brother @SDhawan25 top form 👌👌 👌 and those sixes by @liaml4893!! Congratulations @PunjabKingsIPL! #IPL2022 #GTvsPBKS
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 3, 2022
Opening with Bairstow is a good move and will give returns in the long run. Also good of PBKS to stick with Bhanuka @ 3. This looks a good combination. And I’m sure Mayank won’t mind demoting himself as long as they win. #GTvPBKS #IPL2022
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 3, 2022
😊🤩🥳 https://t.co/gI605iI4Qz
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 3, 2022
RCB, DC, SRH fans recalculating their scenarios after Punjab’s win 😅 #GTvPBKS #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/AMn3FlfYcV
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 3, 2022
Bowled to the perfection first up & finished the game in a hurry to get a jump on run rate 👏 #PunjabKings
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 3, 2022
That is outrageous @liaml4893! pic.twitter.com/D1FuplSnC4
— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) May 3, 2022
Most 4-wicket hauls in IPL history
8 – Sunil Narine in 143 inns
7 – Lasith Malinga in 122 inns
6 – Kagiso Rabada in 59 inns*
5 – Amit Mishra in 154 innsRabada already breaking records🔥#SaddaPunjab | #IPL2022 | #GTvPBKS
— Cricbaba (@thecricbaba) May 3, 2022
What a spell by Kagiso Rabada – 4/33. He bowled brilliantly tonight, lovely bowling!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 3, 2022
Another 4 wickets for Kagiso Rabada 🔥 #PBKSvGT #IPL2022
— Gills (@gpricey23) May 3, 2022
