Shashank Singh was the star for Punjab Kings against Gujarat Titans in an IPL 2024 match on Thursday. Chasing 200, Punjab Kings top-order faltered as a win looked out of bounds until Shashank Singh came to the crease. Shashank linked up crucial stands with Prabhsimran Singh and Ashutosh Sharma as Punjab inched closer to the target. In the end, he remained unbeaten on 61 off 29 balls as PBKs reached the target in 19.5 overs.
However, one video is going viral on social media where the PBKS camp can be seen giving a rather calm reaction to the moment Shashank reached the 50-run mark in 25 balls in the 18th over of the chase. Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra condemned the Punjab Kings team for the reaction.
“Itna snnata hai (there is complete silence). No one has acknowledged this fifty. Even this team has not acknowledged it (while the camera focused on the dugout Punjab Kings).Aisa Kya Chal Raha hai(What is happening)? He has hit 25 out of 50 balls. His success rate is 200. He kept you alive in the match. He is the lifeblood for your team,” Aakash Chopra said during his commentary.
Worst behavior !
— VIPER (@VIPERoffl) April 5, 2024
Perhaps the tense chase was too much for Shikhar Dhawan and Co. as they gave the silent response.
Later, PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan praised Shashank’s effort. “It was a great match, very close, I’m glad the boys put in the work. The plan was to give a good start but unfortunately I got out of it but we were around 60 runs in the end of the powerplay, we kept building partnerships and Shashank came in and played really well. The way Shashank came in and hit those sixes, it was brilliant, the way he hit the ball, it looked effortless. He started from number 7 and is now showing his positive attitude. He is playing in the IPL after a long time and he played so well. I will also mention Ashutosh, he came in and played well under pressure,” Dhawan said.
To recap the match, Gill achieved the highest individual score of the IPL 2024 – 89* and Rahul Tewatia came in at the end and played a brief cameo of 23* in just 8 deliveries, taking GT to 199/4 in the first innings .
In reply, Shashank Singh’s (61*) blitz and Ashutosh’s (31*) blitz rattled GT as they chased down the target and completed a three-wicket win for the Punjab Kings.
After the win, the Punjab-based franchise is at fifth position in the IPL 2024 standings with four points. In contrast, Gujarat is at sixth position with four points.
With ANI inputs
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