Defending champions Gujarat Titans defeated Punjab Kings in their backyard in a tricky low-scoring encounter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Wriddhiman Saha helped the Gujarat Titans get off to a fast start, and by the time the powerplay was done, it looked like the reigning champions would surpass the Punjab Kings' 154-run mark with a few extra overs.
However, for whatever reason, the runs from the other end gradually stopped. One of the underwhelming GT batters, captain Hardik Pandya, came in and played a classic overdrive before failing to rotate the strike in the middle overs and eventually being out while attempting to play a cross-batted heave off Harpreet Brar. This is the third consecutive single-digit score for the GT skipper. He is having an underwhelming IPL and is yet to get his first wicket on the bowling front.
Hardik Pandya spoke at length about GT's batting approach
"To be very honest, I would not appreciate for the game to go this deep. There was definitely a lot for us to learn from this game. That's the beauty of sports; it's never over till it's over. We need to go back to the drawing board," Pandya said in the post-match presentation. "They bowled really well. We should take risks and play shots in the middle overs; we need to make sure the game doesn't go so deep. The ball was getting dried up, but the wicket was a belter. It would have been a tough pill to swallow if the game had gone the other way. I would like to finish the game earlier, not a big fan of taking it to the last over," the Titans' skipper added.
GT's top scorer Shubman Gill also agreed that his team should have finished off the game much quicker than the final over. "Wicket got a bit challenging in the end. Was harder to hit sixes with the old ball. It's a big ground. Was important to keep hitting the gaps and run as hard as possible. I should've finished the match."
Here's how fans reacted:Â
Attitude 100%
— Waltuh (@WC_Melbourne_82) April 13, 2023
Game 0%
When was the last time Pandya played an match winning innings ....if he isn't bowling ....how can he even find a place in the team??
— m Danesh (@mDanesh46791587) April 13, 2023
Chapri lundya 🤮
— Satya biyyala (@BiyyalaSatya) April 13, 2023
Brilliant again by script writers https://t.co/7jGoRqzY3s
— Professor samuel oak (@prof_oak123) April 13, 2023
Pandya the finisher is not there it’s the anchor now. India team mey koyi finishers nahi hain
— Rahul Singh (@RahulSinggghhh) April 13, 2023
Go back to finishing games ffs Hardik
— Shreyas Aher (@ShreyasAher7) April 13, 2023
Lundya 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
— Thalaivar Rohit Fan (@lsowseed) April 13, 2023
— Praneesh (@praneeshush) April 13, 2023