In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Punjab Kings (PBKS) edged past Gujarat Titans (GT) by 11 runs in a high-scoring encounter on Tuesday. Punjab’s batting fireworks saw them post a daunting 243/5, and despite Gujarat’s valiant chase, they fell short at 232/5 in a dramatic finish.
Winning the toss and opting to field, Gujarat faced an early onslaught from Punjab’s top order. Debutant Priyansh Arya made an immediate impact, tearing into the opposition bowling with a 23-ball 47, laced with seven fours and two sixes. Rashid Khan finally provided Gujarat with a breakthrough, but Punjab’s momentum hardly wavered.
As the innings neared its climax, Iyer shifted gears, forming a blistering 81-run partnership with Shashank Singh. While Iyer remained unbeaten on 97, agonizingly short of a century, Shashank’s late fireworks (44 off 16 balls) powered Punjab to a commanding total, taking apart Mohammed Siraj in the final over.
Needing 244 to win, Gujarat Titans came out firing, with Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill putting on a solid 61-run partnership. Gill looked set before Glenn Maxwell struck, sending him back for 33. Sudharsan, however, continued to dominate, smashing his way to a 41-ball 74 before Arshdeep Singh cut short his knock in the 13th over.
With Gujarat at 145/2, the chase still seemed within reach, and the duo of Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford kept the fight alive. Buttler reached a well-made half-century, but his dismissal to Marco Jansen dented Gujarat’s hopes. Rahul Tewatia, who was expected to provide the finishing touch, failed to make an impact and was run out for six.
Rutherford tried to script a late comeback, hammering boundaries at will, but Arshdeep Singh struck again at the crucial moment to seal Punjab’s win. Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball, finishing with 2/36, while Maxwell and Jansen provided timely breakthroughs. Though Gujarat pushed the game to the final over, Punjab held firm to secure their first win of the season in spectacular fashion.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh(w), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
