Indian cricket team batter Shubman Gill was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise from 2018 to 2021 but the association ended when he was not retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. He went on to join Gujarat Titans and won the IPL title in the very first season before becoming the captain in the 2024 season. While there has been no friction between Gill and KKR in the past, the youngster’s comment during an interaction with famous singer Ed Sheeran left the social media in splits. During the conversation, Ed Sheeran came to know that Gill played for a cricket franchise owned by Shah Rukh Khan. Sheeran replied that he was meeting SRK later for dinner and Gill was quick to say – “Ask him why did they not retain me?”. It was a light moment that has gone viral on social media.
Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill’s unblemished unbeaten half-century was overshadowed by uncapped Shashank Singh’s fiery knock as Punjab Kings registered a thrilling three-wicket win in an Indian Premier League match here on Thursday.
Gill made 89 off 48 balls, the highest individual score this season so far, and in the process hit six fours and four maximums to guide GT to an imposing 199 for four.
He was also helped generously by B Sai Sudharsan‘s 19-ball 33 and Rahul Tewatia‘s eight-ball unbeaten 23.
But there was a heartbreak in store for GT as Shashank played the knock of his life, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 29 balls during which he hit six boundaries and four sixes to guide PBKS home with a ball to spare.
He was ably supported by Ashutosh Sharma (31 off 17) as the duo shared 43 runs off just 22 balls to raise PBKS’ hopes, which eventually came true.
Chasing a big total, PBKS suffered an early jolt in the form of captain Shikhar Dhawan, who played on to an Umesh Yadav delivery while going for a shot through the cover region.
Jonny Bairstow (22 off 13), not in the best of form, was then cleaned up by Afghanistan left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad.
PBKS kept on losing wickets at regular intervals as the next to follow was Prabhsimran Singh (35 off 24; 5x4s, 1×6), caught by Mohit Sharma at third-man as the batter went for a heave against a tossed-up delivery from Ahmad only to get a top edge as PBKS slid to 64 for three by the end of the eighth over.
Sikandar Raza was dropped twice in Umesh Yadav’s 11th over, albeit both were difficult chances.
But it was Shashank who capitalised on the lives, clobbering Umesh for two boundaries and a six to pick up 17 runs in the 11th over.
Raza, however, didn’t last long as he edged a Mohit hard-length delivery to Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.
Shashank kept on using his long handle, picking up a few boundaries and sixes to keep PBKS in the hunt.
Shashank held on to one end and brought up his 50 off just 25 balls with the help of five boundaries and three hits over the fence.
Shashank single-handedly kept PBKS in the fray with his pyrotechnics. He was ably supported by Ashutosh as the duo snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
(With PTI inputs)
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