IPL Dugout News: Gujarat Titans VS Punjab Kings

Although Gujarat Titans is in great form this season, they failed to manage a win over the Punjab Kings, and PBKS clinched eight wickets win over the table-toppers. Electing to bat first, Gujarat Titans somehow managed to score 143 runs in20 overs which Punjab Kings achieved in just 16 overs with eight wickets to spare. However, there were some noteworthy performances and moments in the match so let us look at them.

Shubhman Gill's controversial run-out

GT opener Shubman Gill's form has disappeared as he has failed to score big runs in this edition of IPL. He was directed back to the pavilion by a magnificent direct hit from PBKS bowler Rishi Dhawan. Shubman Gill had tapped Sandeep's fuller ball extra cover on the first ball of the third over and scampered towards the other end. However, Rishi Dhawan collected the bowl and hit stumps at the non-striker's end. Shubhman Gill was nowhere near, left short of the crease and was sent back making nine off six deliveries. However, he was disappointed with the bowler and believed that Sandeep Sharma came in his way. He stood his ground for a while, staring at Sandeep Sharma before leaving the ground.

Mayank's tactics in changing the batting line-up

Punjab Kings' skipper Mayank Agarwal contributed to the team's win as he pushed him down in the batting line-up and promoted other batters over him. We have seen Mayank opening with Dhawan throughout the season, which hardly worked in any match. However, in the game against GT, Mayank sacrificed his opening spot for Johnny Bairstow. Although Johnny failed to score big, a change in the batting line-up was worthy of it. After the first wicket, PBKS sent B Rajapaksa, who recorded a match-winning partnership with Dhawan. They scored 87 runs in the partnership, which resulted in PBKS's favour. After Rajapaksa's wicket, everyone expected Mayank to bat at number 4. However, Liam Livingstone walked in and started his destruction in no time. Mayank did what a leader must do. He sacrificed his spot for the team's win, and his tactics worked out brilliantly as Livingstone's fury and Dhawan's inning sealed the win in just 16 overs, which helped the team with the net run rate. 

On Mayank's decision, Pragyan Ojha said, "I believe that in the shortest format, if you open with Bairstow, he will give you starts and it fits well with the brand of cricket that Punjab are playing. So, it was a good move. Mayank knew that he was not getting the runs, so he gave himself a break, it was a mature thing to do. If you keep playing, you get stuck mentally after a point of time. I think he should come in at No.3 and Bairstow should get more chances at the top. If he plays well there, Punjab will not turn back."

Livingstone's 117m gigantic six off Shami!

Punjab Kings power-hitter Liam Livingstone came out to bat against the Gujarat Titans in a real hurry at number 4. He smashed a valuable 30 runs in just ten balls to guide PBKS to seal an eight-wicket win over table-toppers GT. The English all-rounder hit three sixes in those ten balls – all of them came in Mohammed Shami's over. Out of these three, one of the maximums was measured at 117m, the longest six of the season. Livingstone went frantic in the 16th over for three sixes and two fours, also hitting a gigantic six measuring 117 metres – the longest in IPL 2022.

"I have seen Chris Gayle do that often, but this was something different," exclaimed Punjab Kings head coach Anil Kumble. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who was at the commentary box during the strike, hailed it as the "biggest six he has ever seen" and reiterated the same after the match on Star Sports.

Despite this loss against PBKS, Gujarat Titans have maintained the first spot in the points table. With this stunning win over the table topper, PBKS have kept their hope towards playoffs alive. The team has accumulated ten points and is now placed at the fifth spot in the points table. However, Gujarat Titans have already qualified for the playoffs and are looking forward to the championship.