48th match, GT vs PBKS, IPL 2022: Punjab Kings won by 8 wickets
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) made a strong comeback in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by 8 wickets at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday. After Kagiso Rabada's brilliant four-wicket haul, Shikhar Dhawan's quick half-century, and Liam Livingstone's explosive end with the bat, Punjab Kings successfully chased the goal with four overs to spare. With PBKS needing 144 runs, Jonny Bairstow was caught by Pradeep Sangwan off the bowling of Mohammad Shami.
At the other end, the pressure of an early wicket didn't seem to bother Shikhar Dhawan, who blasted three fours and a ramp ball for a maximum. PBKS were 43-1 at the end of the powerplay as Dhawan added two fours. With two straight fours, Bhanuka Rajapaksa backed up the opener. As Dhawan and Rajapaksa kept the runs coming, the fifty partnership was up for the second wicket. At the break, PBKS had a score of 76-1. With a four in the next over, Dhawan completed his half-century. On the other end, Rajapaksa hit a six, but was caught LBW on the following ball.
With five overs to go, Dhawan was joined by Liam Livingstone as the Punjab Kings' asking rate fell below 6. In the 16th over, Livingstone smacked three sixes in a succession against Shami, followed by two fours, resulting in 30 runs as PBKS reached the target with four overs to spare. Earlier, the Gujarat Titans, who chose to bat first, maintained their winning streak. As Shubman Gill fell short of the crease, PBKS had a head start thanks to a direct hit from Rishi Dhawan. After three shattering strokes for four and a maximum, Wriddhiman Saha looked in fantastic form. The wicketkeeper batsman, on the other hand, was caught by Mayank Agarwal off Rabada's bowling.
At the end of the powerplay, Hardik Pandya and Sai Sudharsan were out in the center, and GT was 42-2. In the seventh over, Rishi Dhawan took the key wicket of Hardik Pandya, who was caught behind. GT led 62-3 at the halftime break, with Sai Sudharsan and David Miller joining him. Livingstone ejected Miller after the left-handed hitter was caught at long-off, putting GT in even more trouble. Sudharsan was joined by Rahul Tewatia, who smashed three fours. With five overs remaining, GT were 98-4. In the 17th over, Rabada got two wickets on successive deliveries, dismissing Tewatia and Rashid Khan. Sudharsan scored his first fifty in the IPL, but GT lost two more wickets.
While Arshdeep Singh rocked Pradeep Sangwan's stumps, Lockie Ferguson holed out to the deep, allowing Kagiso Rabada to capture his fourth wicket of the innings. Sudharsan stayed unbeaten on 64* as GT reached 143/8 after the final over provided 11 runs.
Scores: Punjab Kings 145/2 (Shikhar Dhawan 62*, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 40; Lockie Ferguson 1-29) beat Gujarat Titans 143/8 (Sai Sudharsan 64*, Wriddhiman Saha 21; Kagiso Rabada 4-33) by 8 wickets.
