Shashank Singh was the star for Punjab Kings against Gujarat Titans in an IPL 2024 match on Thursday. Chasing 200, Punjab Kings top-ordered faltered as a win looked out of bounds until Shashank Singh came on to the crease. Shashank stitched crucial stands with Prabhsimran Singh and Ashutosh Sharma as Punjab slowly approached the target. Ultimately he stayed 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 it can be seen that the PBKS camp is giving a rather quiet reaction to when Shashank reached the 50-run mark in 25 balls in the 18th over of the chase. Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra blasted the Punjab Kings team for the reaction.
“Itna snnata hai (There is a complete silence). Nobody has acknowledged this fifty. Even this team hasn’t acknowledged (as the camera focussed towards Punjab Kings dug out).Aisa Kya Chal Raha hai(What is happening)? He has hit 25 off 50 balls. His strike-rate is 200. He has kept you alive in the contest. He is CPR for your team,” Aakash Chopra said duting commentary.
Maybe the tense chase was too much for Shikhar Dhawan and Co. to handle as they gave the silent reaction.
Later, PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan praised Shashank’s effort. “It was an amazing game, very very close, I’m glad the boys did the job. The plan was to give a good start but I got out unfortunately but we were around 60 runs at 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 No. 7 and is now showing his positive mindset. He is playing in the IPL after a long time and he played so well. I will also mention about Ashutosh, he came in and played a good knock under pressure,” Dhawan said.
Summarizing the match, Gill struck the highest individual score of the IPL 2024 – 89* and Rahul Tewatia came at the end to play a short cameo of 23* in a mere 8 delivers to power GT to 199/4 in the first inning.
In reply, Shashank Singh’s (61*) blitz and Ashutosh’s (31) rattled GT as they chased down the target and clinched a three-wicket victory for the Punjab Kings.
Following the win, the Punjab-based franchise stands in fifth place in the IPL 2024 standings with four points. On the other hand, Gujarat holds the sixth place with four points.
