PUNJAB Kings, powered by Shashank Singh’s knockout blows, recorded a thrilling final-over victory over Gujarat Titans which gave them their second win of IPL 2024.
He might not have been the Shashank Singh that Punjab Kings were searching for in the auction, but over the course of this season and particularly yesterday, he has made himself an undroppable name in the eleven.

Shashank came in when the Kings had lost four for just 70 in the ninth over but remained unfazed right through to inject some much-needed impetus. He lofted Noor Ahmed’s googly for
a six and then picked 14 off three deliveries from Umesh Yadav to get his innings going. Another six off Rashid and a ramp off Mohit Sharma kept Punjab in the chase. In between the Kings were lucky to have some support from others like Jitesh Sharma who hit back-to-back sixes off Rashid at a critical juncture.

The final trick up Punjab Kings sleeves was the impact sub Ashutosh Sharma, who matched Singh in shot making including three boundaries off an over from Azmatullah Omarzai. The duo
also picked up 18 off the penultimate over bowled by Mohit with each batter hitting him for a six with brute power.
It brought about a thrilling conclusion to a game that had otherwise meandered along on a straight course with the Titans the favourites right through until the Kings sneaked back in.

Shubman Gill was there right through the innings but not quite so imposing. He batted all 20 overs but faced only 48 balls in all. But it was studded with some eye-catching shots
nevertheless. The first six down the ground off the left-arm spinner was as silken as lofts down the ground. Then there was an intentional outside edge that was chopped fine using
Arshdeep Singh’s angle across.

Gill would also loft Kagiso Rabada straight down the ground for a six once and then pull him over long on for one more. There was also a forehand slap down the ground for a four off a
slower ball for another boundary. All of these were indicative that the pitch did not hold much demons but also that Gill could unleash a good range of strokes enroute to his 89* – the highest
individual score of IPL 2024.

Gujarat headed into the death overs in dire need of a boost and Rahul Tewatia provided the right finishing touches, albeit feasting on some friendly full tosses that enabled him to an eight-ball
23. And even as Gill missed his hundred, falling short by 11, his team had got to nearly 200, which would prove to be a lot more than just challenging for Punjab Kings. (Cricbuzz)