Shashank Singh’s stunning, unbeaten 61 off 29 balls led the Punjab Kings to a thrilling six-wicket triumph over the Gujarat Titans in their IPL match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Responding to Gujarat’s imposing total of 199-4, the Kings appeared to be in trouble at 70-4 and 111-5, but 32-year-old Shashank delivered one of his best efforts to seal victory with one ball to spare. Ashutosh Sharma (31 off 17 balls) also helped significantly to Punjab’s turnaround, which appeared bleak for much of the run chase. Afghani left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad (4-0-32-2) dismissed dangermen Jonny Bairstow (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (35) with his mysterious deliveries, while countryman Rashid Khan (1-40) dealt with Jitesh Sharma (16) to make Punjab’s task even harder.
Punjab’s prospects were dwindling with 35 runs needed from the final two overs, but Mohit Sharma’s 19th over cost 19 runs, and skipper Shubman Gill’s decision to throw the final over to part-timer Darshan Nalkande, with only seven runs remaining, backfired.