Indian cricket team batsman 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 then joined Gujarat Titans and won the IPL title in the very first season before becoming 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 left with famous singer Ed Sheeran dividing social media. During the conversation, Ed Sheeran came to know that Gill played for a cricket franchise owned by Shah Rukh Khan. Sheeran replied that he would meet SRK later for dinner and Gill quickly said, “Ask him why they didn’t keep me?”. It was a light moment that went viral on social media.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill’s flawless unbeaten half-century was overshadowed by 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 so far this season, hitting six fours and four maximums to guide GT to an imposing 199 for four.
He was also generously helped by B Sai Sudharsan’s 19-ball 33 and Rahul Tewatia’s eight-ball unbeaten 23.
But heartbreak awaited GT as Shashank played the knock of his life and remained unbeaten on 61 off 29 balls, hitting 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 boost PBKS’s hopes, which eventually came true.
Chasing a big total, PBKS suffered an early shock in the form of captain Shikhar Dhawan, who played through on an Umesh Yadav delivery as he blasted a shot through the cover region.
Jonny Bairstow (22 off 13), not in the best form, was then cleaned up by Afghan left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad.
PBKS continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as next to follow was Prabhsimran Singh (35 off 24; 5x4s, 1×6), caught by Mohit Sharma at third man when the batsman made a heave against a tossed up delivery from Ahmad alone to get a to gain top advantage when PBKS slid to 64 for three towards the end of the eighth over.
Sikandar Raza was dropped twice in Umesh Yadav’s eleventh over, although both were difficult chances.
But it was Shashank who took advantage of the lives, hitting Umesh for two boundaries and a six to take 17 runs in the 11th over.
However, Raza didn’t last long as he left behind a hard Mohit delivery to Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.
Shashank continued to use his long handle and hit a couple of boundaries and sixes to keep PBKS in the hunt.
Shashank held on to one end and brought up his 50 from just 25 balls with the help of five boundaries and three hits over the fence.
Shashank single-handedly kept PBKS in contention with his fireworks. He was ably supported by Ashutosh as the duo snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
(With PTI inputs)
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