IPL 2022: Match 16, PBKS vs GT – Who Said What

The Gujarat Titans registered a thrilling six-wicket win over the Punjab Kings in Match 16 of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on April 8. GT have thus won their third straight game and remain undefeated this season. While Punjab did post a stiff total on the board, they were made to work hard for defending it courtesy of a brilliant knock from Shubman Gill.

Gujarat skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and invited PBKS to bat first. The GT bowlers struck early to get rid of captain Mayank Agarwal cheaply for five, but Shikhar Dhawan’s 30-ball 35 did provide some acceleration to the innings. Last match’s hero Liam Livingstone once again made his presence felt with a quickfire 64 runs from 27 deliveries that propelled Punjab Kings to 189/9 from their 20 overs.

Shubman Gill shines in a tough run chase

In reply, Gujarat lost Matthew Wade early, but Shubman Gill single-handedly anchored the run chase as he took the Punjab bowlers to the cleaners at regular intervals. New talent Sai Sudharshan also chipped in with 30-ball 35 that eased some pressure off Gill. Skipper Pandya also reduced the deficit, scoring 27 runs from 18 deliveries.

Gill, on the other hand, was just nearing the three-figure mark before he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada for 96 runs off 59 balls. However, he had done more than enough as finisher Rahul Tewatia took Gujarat Titans past the finish line off the final ball.

Losing skipper, Mayank Agarwal said:

“It was a tough game but we really fought hard. We were 5-7 runs short but we pulled it back after the start they had. There were a lot of positives for us. We did really well to get ourselves to that score after losing so many wickets, so we were very happy with that. We fought really hard on the field. It was great execution by both of them (Rabada and Arshdeep), fantastic effort by them to pull the game, they really got us in the game. Last over could have been anyone’s game. We totally back Odean, it’s fine, he probably had a hard game but that’s fine. We back him a 100%. It’s just a game of cricket, it could be a bitter one to swallow but it’s fine. The talk in the group is we always back the guys. If he has a bad day, he has bad day, no worries, we back him 100%.”

Winning skipper. Hardik Pandya said:

“With the kind of ups and downs that happen, I have become neutral. Hats off to Tewatia. It is difficult to go out there and hit, and to do it under this pressure is great. It was Kings’ game, I have sympathy for them. Gill is telling everybody that he is there. A lot of credit goes to Sai as well for that partnership. It kept us in the game. I am going to get better with every game. I am getting tired as I’m not used to bowling four overs. But I’m getting better.”

Player of the Match, Shubman Gill said:

“It is important to keep the scoreboard ticking. It is important to hit those gaps because this outfield is rapid. It is just about execution. It was just one of those days where I was hitting the ball well and finding the gaps as well. I am hitting the ball hard, trust me. I am doing my level best to hit it hard, it might not look that way. As an opener, I have to bat through the innings, so that it is easier for the big-hitters to hit it in the end. Instead of not thinking in the nets, I try and work and reduce my dot balls as much as possible. Not sure about the celebrations now, it takes us one hour to reach the hotel”.