On the other hand, in this IPL where some teams are hitting sixes and scoring above 250, Punjab Kings set a target of 143 runs for the opponent on Sunday. However, Punjab fought hard to save the small goal. But under pressure, Titans won by 3 wickets as Rahul Tewatia (36 not out; 7×4 off 18 balls) played a super innings. First, Punjab were bowled out for 142 runs in 20 overs. Prabhsimran Singh (35; 3×4, 3×6 off 21 balls) was the top scorer. Spinners Saikishore (4/33), Noor Ahmed (2/20) and Rashid Khan (1/15) damaged the team. Mohit Sharma took two wickets. Tewatia and Gill (35; 5×4 off 29 balls) excelled as Titans chased down the target by losing 7 wickets in 19.1 overs. Harshal Patel (3/15) and Livingston (2/19) excelled with the ball. Punjab’s chances of playoffs have become more complicated with sixth defeat.
Even if it is a small target..:
Even if the target is small, Gujarat sweated. The runs did not come easily as the Punjab bowlers bowled hard. Although Gill and Saisudarshan (31; 3×4 in 34 balls) excelled, they did not play hard. Saha (13), Miller (4), Azmatullah (13) failed. Titans score 105/5 after 16 overs. The pressure increased on the team as they needed 38 runs in the last 4 overs. Hopes have sprung up in Punjab. But Tewathiya’s batting dashed the team’s hopes. He hit two fours in Brar’s bowling and three fours in Rabada’s over and the match completely turned towards the Titans. With five runs to be scored in the last two overs, Gujarat’s target became very easy. Even if Shah Rukh (8) and Rashid (3) were out… the team did not need to worry. Earlier Punjab’s performance was poor. Titans spinners under the leadership of Saikishore thrashed the Kings batting line-up. Punjab, one of the worst performers in the powerplay this season, actually started better this time. 45/0 in 5 overs with Prabhsimran swinging the bat. But after Prabhsimran was dismissed by Mohit, the course of Punjab’s innings changed. After that the spinners hooked the team. Rosso (9) was dismissed by Noor.. Rashid found opener Sam Karan (20) in front of the wickets. Noor didn’t let Livingston (6) last long. After that, Saikishore sent back Jitesh Sharma (13), Ashutosh Sharma (3) and Shashank Singh (8) and at the end of the 16th over, Punjab stood at 107/7. In the end Harpreet Brar (29; 4×4, 1×6 off 12 balls) showed some batting and the team managed to cross 140.
