5 Apr at 5:59 am

GT vs PBKS IPL 2024, Match 17th Highlights | A Night of Upsets and Unexpected Heroes in Ahmedabad

Shashank Singh played a match winning inning 61* (29) aganist GT | © iplt20.com

The 17th match of IPL 2024 was a night that defied expectations and served up a thrilling encounter between the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While GT posted a competitive total of 199 runs batting first, it was the spirited chase by PBKS, spearheaded by two unlikely heroes, that stole the show.

Punjab Kings Opt to Bowl First, GT Relies on Gill and Sudharsan

PBKS captain Mayank Agarwal surprised everyone by electing to bowl first after winning the toss. This decision seemed to backfire initially as GT openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha struggled to find the boundary. However, the introduction of the young Sai Sudharsan at number four provided the spark GT needed. Sudharsan, playing some audacious strokes, took the pressure off Gill and stitched together a crucial 53-run partnership. Gill, who was watchful early on, eventually unleashed his trademark elegance, scoring a fluent 89 runs. However, the rest of the GT batting order failed to capitalize, leaving them with a total of 199 on the board. This score seemed defendable but not insurmountable.

Punjab Kings on the Backfoot, Enter Shashank Singh

Chasing a target of 200 always requires a special effort, and PBKS’ chase started shakily. They lost wickets at regular intervals, with star players like Liam Livingstone, Shikhar Dhawan, and Jonny Bairstow all departing cheaply. With the score at a precarious 111 for 5 in the 13th over, the odds were heavily stacked against PBKS. Enter Shashank Singh, a relatively unknown player who PBKS had bought at the auction. Facing an almost impossible situation, Shashank displayed nerves of steel. He launched into a whirlwind knock, dispatching anything loose to the boundary. His sixes over the midwicket against Rashid Khan and the fine leg region against Umesh Yadav were particularly audacious.

Ashutosh Sharma – Who Turned the Tide

Just when it seemed like Shashank’s lone fight wouldn’t be enough, another twist in the tale emerged. With 41 runs needed off 18 balls, the uncapped Ashutosh Sharma, playing as the Impact Sub for PBKS, walked out to the crease. Sharma, displaying remarkable composure in his IPL debut, smashed three fours in a single over by Azmatullah Omarzai and a six off the experienced Mohit Sharma. This blitz of runs in the death overs completely shifted the momentum in PBKS’ favor. Shashank, ably supported by Shahrukh Khan at the other end, continued his carnage, taking PBKS to the brink of victory. With just one ball remaining, they finally crossed the finish line, securing a historic win by 3 wickets.

A Night of Records and Redemption

This match will be remembered for number of reasons. Shashank Singh’s valiant knock of 61 runs off just 29 balls was instrumental in the win, and he was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match. PBKS also set a new record in the men’s T20 format, chasing down the highest target ever to secure victory. For GT, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Their bowling attack, particularly Rashid Khan who was expensive and leaked sixes, had an off night. However, credit must be given to PBKS for their never-say-die attitude and their ability to unearth heroes from unexpected corners.

This match perfectly embodied the spirit of the IPL 2024. It was a night of drama, unexpected twists, and incredible individual performances. As the tournament progresses, one thing is sure – cricket fans can expect many more exciting encounters filled with surprises and moments of brilliance.