<\/p>\n
In a match filled with tension and drama, opener Shubman Gill showcased his brilliant form to notch up his fifth half-century against Punjab Kings since entering the IPL fold. Gill’s 67 off 49 balls, laced with seven fours and a six, led Gujarat Titans to a six-wicket victory against Punjab Kings at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Gujarat’s victory was set up by a clinical bowling performance, led by pacer Mohit Sharma, who made a stellar comeback to the tournament with 2-18 in his four overs. The defending champions restricted Punjab to 153\/8.<\/p>\n
Gill and Wriddhiman Saha gave Gujarat a flying start, with Gill easing into a cover drive off Arshdeep Singh for four. Saha took a four each off Kagiso Rabada, and the latter launched into Arshdeep by taking four boundaries in the third over. But Saha fell in the fifth over after Rabada’s bouncer saw him go for the pull but finding deep square leg, giving the fast bowler his 100th IPL wicket.<\/p>\n
Gill and Sai Sudharsan kept the scoreboard ticking through strike rotation. Sudharsan fell in the 12th over, and Hardik Pandya holed out to long-on off Harpreet Brar in the 15th over. But Gill continued his form and brought up his fifty in the 16th over.<\/p>\n
With seven runs needed off the final over, Gill survived a run-out chance before Sam Curran uprooted his off-stump on the very next ball, bringing sudden tension into the match. After Curran nailed two back-to-back yorkers, David Miller completed the second run with a desperate dive.<\/p>\n
With four runs needed off the last two balls, Rahul Tewatia finished off the chase by moving across and scooping a full ball from Curran over short fine leg for four to seal victory for Gujarat with a ball to spare.<\/p>\n
This victory helped Gujarat Titans secure their third win of the competition, and Shubman Gill’s fantastic form helped them secure a comfortable six-wicket victory against Punjab Kings.<\/p>\n
Brief scores:<\/p>\n
Punjab Kings 153\/8 in 20 overs (Matthew Short 36, Jitesh Sharma 25; Mohit Sharma 2-18, Rashid Khan 1-26) lost to Gujarat Titans 154\/4 in 19.5 overs (Shubman Gill 67, Wriddhiman Saha 30; Harpreet Brar 1-20, Sam Curran 1-25) by six wickets<\/p>\n<\/div>\n