Punjab Kings are back in the race to the playoffs as they beat table toppers Gujarat Titans by eight wickets in match 48 of IPL 2022. Their bowlers did a wonderful job to restrict Gujarat’s strong batting line-up to a total of only 143 runs in 20 overs.
Of the eight batsmen that came out to bat, six were dismissed on single digit scores. Sai Sudharshan was the only batsmen who did well – scoring an unbeaten 65 off 50. Earlier, opener Wriddhiman Saha chipped in with 21 runs. This was so far the Titans worst batting performance in their maiden IPL season. Captain Hardik Pandya, who is his side’s leading run-scorer, was dismissed for just one run.
Kagiso Rabada was the bowler that did most of the damage. He picked up four wickets in as many overs while conceding 33 runs. Arshdeep Singh, Rishi Dhawan and Liam Livingstone picked up a wicket each.
Chasing only 144 to win, the Punjab Kings were eyeing a quick finish to improve their net run rate and stand a better chance to go further up on the points table. And they did exactly that. An unbeaten 62 by Shikhar Dhawan and knocks of 40 and 30 from Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Liam Livingstone respectively helped the team wrap up the chase in 16 overs.
Despite losing the game, the Titans are still at the top of the points table with eight wins in 10 games. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, have climbed up to the fifth spot with five wins and as many losses in 10 games.
