IPL 2024: GT beat PBKS to claim their fourth win
Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings in Match of 37 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The Titans successfully chased down 143, with Rahul Tewatia getting them home. Earlier, GT's spin attack dismantled PBKS, with R Sai Kishore paving the way for them. He took his maiden IPL four-fer. The Titans have claimed their fourth win in IPL 2024.
GT restrict PBKS to 142
Sam Curran and Prabhsimran Singh took PBKS past 50 in the Powerplay after they elected to bat. GT used their spinners wisely thereafter, bringing the visitors were down to 99/7. Harpreet Brar's 12-ball 29 eventually powered PBKS, who perished for 142. GT's spinners shared seven wickets, with Sai Kishore taking four. Mohit Sharma chipped in with two crucial wickets.
GT get over the line despite faltering
GT skipper Shubman Gill led their charge with a 35-run knock despite losing Wriddhiman Saha (25/1). He propelled GT past 65 along with Sai Sudharsan before departing. Curran and Liam Livingstone then gave PBKS crucial breakthroughs in the form of Sai Sudharsan and David Miller. Harshal Patel shook GT with a few quick wickets, but the reliable Tewatia completed the run-chase in 19.1 overs.
Sai Kishore trumps PBKS batters
PBKS slumped from 52/0 to 78/4 before Sai Kishore came into the attack. The budding spinner dismissed Jitesh Sharma on his fourth delivery to drag PBKS to the back foot. Ashutosh Sharma was Sai Kishore's next scalp. The left-arm spinner took his final wicket in the form of Brar, who slammed a crucial 12-ball 29. Sai Kishore conceded 33 runs in four overs.
Maiden IPL four-fer for Sai Kishore
Sai Kishore recorded his career-best bowling figures in the IPL. It was also his maiden four-wicket haul. Sai Kishore has now raced to 12 wickets from eight IPL games at an 17.17. His economy rate reads 7.63. Notably, Sai Kishore started his IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings in 2020 but didn't get a game. GT then acquired him at the 2022 mega auction.
First Indian spinner with this feat
As per Cricbuzz, Sai Kishore is the first Indian spinner to take a four-fer for GT in the IPL. Rashid Khan remains the only other spinner with this feat, having taken two four-wicket hauls.
GT spinners shine in Mullanpur
As mentioned, as many as seven PBKS batters fell to spin in the match. Noor Ahmed took two wickets (2/20), while Rashid scalped one for just 15 runs (4 overs). This is the first instance of GT spinners taking seven wickets in an IPL innings. As per Cricbuzz, the previous record was 6/31 in 5.5 overs against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022.
Second 50+ opening stand for PBKS in IPL 2024
Curran and Prabhsimran bolstered PBKS at the top in Shikhar Dhawan's absence. The former scored a 19-ball 20, while Prabhsimran added 35 off 21 balls (3 fours and 3 sixes). The duo scored 52 runs between them, the second 50-plus opening partnership for PBKS in IPL 2024. This was also the second 50-plus opening stand against GT this season.
Harshal's three-fer goes in vain
Harshal was first called into the attack into the fifth over, wherein he conceded seven runs. PBKS skipper Curran recalled Harshal as GT were 101/4 (15). The former straightaway dismissed a set Azmatullah Omarzai. Harshal then bowled the 19th over, having dismissed Shahrukh Khan and Rashid. However, victory was out of sight for PBKS. Harshal conceded 15 runs in three overs.
100th encounter; joint-most wickets in IPL 2024
Harshal featured in his 100th IPL match. He has raced to 124 wickets at 23.79, while his tally in the league includes two four-wicket hauls and a fifer. Harshal now has the joint-most wickets in IPL 2024 with Jasprit Bumrah. The former owns 13 scalps at 21.38. Notably, Harshal owns the joint-most wickets in an IPL season (32 in 2021) with Dwayne Bravo.
GT bounce back; PBKS continue to sink
GT finally bounced back after a crushing defeat to Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad. They currently occupy the sixth position with four wins in eight games (NRR: -1.055). Meanwhile, PBKS are just behind bottom-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru with four points (NRR: -0.292).
