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A fine half-century from Shikhar Dhawan coupled with Liam Livingstone's power-hitting helped Punjab Kings (PBKS) produce a clinical performance to beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by eight wickets and end the Indian Premier League (IPL) table leaders' five-match winning streak in Mumbai on Tuesday, May 3. Pacer Kagiso Rabada also snared four wickets as Punjab restricted Gujarat to a below-par 143 after Hardik Pandya opted to bat first.
Punjab, who made a mess of what should have been a straightforward chase in their last game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), learned from their mistakes and paced the innings much better and overcome the target in 16 overs.
Dhawan scored 62 not out off 53 balls, his third half-century of the season, and also got good support from Sri Lankan Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who scored 40 off 28 balls and entertained with five fours and a six. Dhawan took the responsibility of finishing the game for his team.
Skipper Mayank Agarwal dropped himself down the order to accommodate Jonny Bairstow at the top of the order but the move did not work as the Englishman got out for one run. However, the 87-run stand between the southpaws, Dhawan and Rajapaksa, ensured Punjab got home comfortably.
Liam Livingstone (30 not out off 10) displayed some brutal hitting towards the end of the chase and smashed premier India pacer Mohammad Shami for four sixes including a monstrous 117m hit over deep square leg. The 16th over going for 30 runs also gave a big boost to PBKS' net run rate.
It was a much-needed win for Punjab, who have struggled for consistency this season with five wins and as many losses.
For Gujarat, who are set to make the playoffs, it was a timely wake-up call to fix their batting issues, especially at the top of the order. They have had somebody or the other to bail them out of tough situations but it was not the case on Tuesday.
Gujarat batters falter
Earlier, Sai Sudharsan's unbeaten 65 off 50 balls was the saving grace in Gujarat's innings as Punjab bowlers conceded only 11 fours and two sixes. Sudarsan managed to hit five boundaries and a six but ran out of partners as Gujarat skipper Pandya's decision to elect to bat backfired.
They lost openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha cheaply. Gill, who had struck two boundaries, was dismissed courtesy of a direct hit from Rishi Dhawan from cover, in the third over.
Rabada's magic
In the next over Saha, who started aggressively, gave a sitter to rival captain Mayank Agarwal at mid-off, giving Rabada his first wicket. Saha, who had hit three boundaries and a six, was undone by the extra bounce, as he tried to play a lofted shot, but mistimed it and paid the price.
Gujarat further slipped to 44/3 as pacer Rishi Dhawan removed Hardik for one run. Hardik tried to drive outside off-length ball but ended up nicking to wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma leaving his team in all sorts of trouble.
Then Sudharsan and David Miller tried to rally the innings but managed to add only 23 runs in 30 balls.
It became 67/4 after Livingstone dismissed Miller, who miscued a lofted drive to be caught by Rabada at long-off. Sudharshan tried to change gears from the 11th over, when he pulled Livingstone for his first boundary but was unable to free his arms frequently.
Rabada further pegged back Gujarat by removing Rahul Tewatia (11) and Rashid Khan (0) in successive deliveries in the 17th over, with GT reeling at 112/6.
Rabada capped off a memorable spell by dismissing Lockie Ferguson (5).
For Punjab, Sandeep Sharma (0/17), Arshdeep Singh (1/35), Rahul Chahar (0/11) and Livingstone also played their parts to perfection.
