In a closely contested match at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, the Gujarat Titꦕans (GT) emerged 𒁃victorious over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets.
After winning the toss, the Titans elected to bowl first, and the Kings struggled to build momentum, only managing to post a total of 153/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Matthew Short top-scored for the Kings with 36 runs off 24 deliveries, while Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan contributed 25 and 22 runs respectively.
In response, the Titans got off to a solid start with Wriddhiman Saha scoring 30 runs off 19 balls. However, it was Shubman Gill‘s impressive knock of 67 runs off 49 deliveries that proved to be the difference-maker, guiding the Titans to victory with five balls to spare. The Kings bowlers struggled to contain the Titans’ batting, with Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, and Arshdeep Singh all taking one wicket each.
“I have had a good time at this venue. I thought of sticking to my variations, had a chat with Hardik in the middle overs, luckily it paid off. You need to train hard, give your 100 percent. Need to bowl according to the situation, and stick to the basics. I was given a role to bowl after 10 overs. Credit goes to the coach who has defined everyone’s role in the team,” said Mohit after the game.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Kuch rishta hai humara aisi run-chases se! 🙌
Dow൩n to the wire, and we get home with 1️⃣ ball to spare! ⚡🔥 2023
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans)
Somebo🌌dy crown Tewatia as the GOD OF CLUTCH MOMENTS.👑👑🤯 He is tailor-mad🤡e for close finishes.
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
Very happy for Mohit Sharma🔥. Another storyಌ of persistence.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Mohit Sharma's last Player of the Match award came at PCA Stadium, Mohali in 2017. That time he played for Punjab. This time he won the Player of the Match against Punjab on his debut for . Purple Cap winner of IPL 2014
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
A tough one to take! 😞
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
It’s that man again at the finish!! Excellent 🦋from and what a comeback it has been for Mohit Sharma!! 👏🏾 Well fought !
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa)
Gujara💮t Titans defeat Puꦫnjab Kings by six wickets and a ball to spare. |
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Shami won POTM
Ferguson won POTM
Gill won POTM
Hardik won POTM
Miller won POTM
Rashid won POTM
Tewatia won POTM
Gill won POTM
Saha won POTM
Miller won POTM
Hardik won POTM
Rashid won POTM
Sai Sudharsan won POTM
Mohit Sharma won POTM10 different POTM award for Gujarat from 2022.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
A comeback to remember for Mohit Sharma.
2/18 in 4 overs – got a chance for the first time in 3 seasons and won his Player Of The Match award in 6 years.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
🌳•Ajinkya Raha𝔉ne scored 61(27) in his comeback & first match of IPL 2023.
•Mohit Sharma's spell (4-0-18-2) in his comeback & first match of IPL 2023.
So happy for them, Both did brilliantly🐼 well in his comeback match. Out🧸standing, Ajinkya & Mohit.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
Loved what Mohit Sharma said in the mid-match interview! He was asked if he was unhappy to be brought in as a net bowler initially despite being so experienced, he said:
“Being a net bowler is no shame! I thought instead of being at home why not join as a net bowler,🎃”— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal)
