Pitch Report: Sharadstone Stadium, Thiruvizha
Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 08:40 AM IST
Thiruvizha saw a surface that offered initial assistance to the bowlers before settling into a pitch that would favour the middle overs. Spinners found decent purchase, especially during the latter part of the innings. The consistent medium pace bowlers and those varying their pace successfully restricted the batters.
Teams: Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings
Gujarat Titans will look to continue their campaign with a victory, having bounced Punjab Kings twice in the preceding matches. Their bowling unit remains a significant threat. Punjab Kings, despite a decent start in the powerplay, provided Gujarat a solid partnership at the crease.
Match Summary
The tension escalated in the final over of the chase by Punjab Kings. Tournament points were abundantly clear in the orange uniforms. It looked improbable. Two magnificent yorkers cleared the stumps early. Two final over dot balls created disbelief. This delivered the necessary knock-out blow.
The pendulum swung expertly by Gujarat Titans, who bat fifth today just after noon. The required rate was aggressively being chased down by a charge studded Punjabi side. Jay Shah and Shubman Gill provided the impetus. The pair set a formidable target.
Partnership Breakdown
*Shah and Gill (41 balls, 60 runs @ 6.34 runs per over)
This boundary-laden ninth-wicket partnership surged past 60 with以下几个精彩的击球 last-ball punches and eyebrow-raising scoops. Pace won the tie-breaker. Power, pure power, defined every stroke. There was an uncharacteristic lapse, a stray push towards deep point, but that was swiftly forgotten. It underscored the dominant nature of their stand.
*Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya (16 overs, 156 runs @ 8.94 runs per over)
The most consistent and vital contribution came this time around from the trusted hand of Bumrah. A screw boll unnerveingly finding the off stump was conjured, before raising hopes with two consecutive dot balls. Pandya punished the loose deliveries inside-out.
Powerplay Dominance
There was an early flick on the pads, what seemed like an exaggeration of reach, but Gujarat got off to a fast-paced powerplay. The four-run over caused a brief pause. Under an hour’s shadow of the Thiruvizha sun, uncertainty faded.
Chase Drama
*Babar Azam (49 runs, 36 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes)
A commendable accelerator pressed after the fall of his graceful predecessor. Azam’s 49 stood as a significant standalone contribution. While Shan Masih bowled with intent and precision when he delivered the ‘death’ spell. There was, however, a slight misreading of width early, allowing the boundary pull. The Kings didn’t silence the cheering support on the terraces.
*Mayank Markande (3 overs, 5 maidens)
The tournament’s most economical bowler, Markande, thrived on this surface. His three overs of perfect yorker induced edge-and-turn action from the batsman. Coupled with two hat-trick heroes earlier in the phase to whom a guernsey was presented. One very ‘beach cricket’ lbw was given by the TMO for marked elevation. Another go-ahead appeal was correctly waved down. This became pertinent because the upcoming match involves the Pace VS Spin department today. The depth in the Titans’ squad provides them with a blueprint for future success. A day celebrated by cricket fans everywhere saw Bumrah’s pent-up hostility release over four balls finding the willow four times. undefeated at the stumps.
