Gujarat Titans' (GT) star wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha did something in the match against Punjab Kings on Thursday (April 13) which reminded everyone of the legendary MS Dhoni. Saha showed his presence of mind and took a review to help the defending champions get rid of Jitesh Sharma. In the 13th over, Jitesh's bat found a faint edge off Mohit Sharma's ball which was immediately pouched by Saha. However, umpire didn't declare it out in the first place despite Saha's strong appeal. When everyone looked disinterested including his own teammates, Saha forced skipper Hardik Pandya to take a review despite team's reluctance. Even Pandya gestured that he didn't hear anything off the bat, but Saha was rigid in his call kept insisting for the review and finally managed to convince GT skipper. Umpire hence referred it for the DRS which to everyone's surprise came in GT's favour.
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Jitesh paired with Bhanuka Rajapaksa and was in a bid to steady PBKS' boat after Shikhar Dhawan's side were reeling 55/3. The Orange Cap holder Dhawan failed to go big on this occasion and returned to pavilion after scoring mere 8. Dhawan's opening partner Prabhsimran Singh too fell cheaply off the very second delivery of the match off Mohammed Shami over.
Matthew Short remained the top scorer for PBKS as he struck a 22-ball 36 before being castled by Rashid Khan in the seventh over. At the end PBKS managed to post a total of 153/8. GT's debutant Mohit Sharma was the pick of the bowler as he made a sensational comeback with a brilliant spell of 2/18.
Earlier, Hardik won the toss and elected to bowl first.
"Bowling first. Just looks like a good wicket, and from whatever I've seen it's good to chase. Was a one-in-a-million defeat. We are a kind of team that takes it with a smile. Played good cricket until that last over. It happens. It's a fresh game. We'll come out and smile, and throw some punches. I don't know (any changes?). It's there in the paper,” GT captain Hardik said after winning the toss.
“Doesn't bother us. Were looking to bowl first. We have been playing good cricket. Quite normal to go through this in cricket. Won't be the first time or the last (loss against SRH). Looking forward to put up a great show. Two changes - Rabada coming in for Nathan. Bhanuka coming in for Raza,” PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan said.
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan(c), Matthew Short, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma(w), Sam Curran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Kagiso Rabada, Rishi Dhawan, Arshdeep Singh.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya(c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Joshua Little.
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