'Live to fight another day' - Twitter impressed as Punjab stop rampant Gujarat

The law of averages have finally caught up to Gujarat. The 48th match of the Indian T20 league 2022 saw Punjab beat the Hardik Pandya-led side by eight wickets. This victory comes as a huge sigh of relief for the Mayank Agarwal-led side as they needed it to stay in the race for the playoffs. The Punjab-based franchise have now won five out of their 10 games.

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After being asked to field first, Punjab's bowlers were superb with the new ball. First things first, a superb direct throw by Rishi Dhawan ensured that Shubman Gill had to prematurely walk back to the pavilion. After which, the in-form Wriddhiman Saha was dismissed after scoring 21 runs from 17 balls. Gujarat's skipper Hardik Pandya was quick to follow him as he perished 15 deliveries later.

Despite not picking a wicket, Sandeep Sharma was superb as he only gave 17 runs in his full quota of four overs. David Miller and Rahul Tewatia, who have arguably been the best finishers of this edition so far, failed as well. Both of them were dismissed for 11. However, Sai Sudharsan played a gem of an innings. He scored an unbeaten 65 from 50 balls.

His knock consisted of five fours and a six. When it comes to Punjab's wicket-takers of this game, Kagiso Rabada was at his usual best as he picked a four-fer, while giving 33 runs in his four overs. Thus, Gujarat could only score 143-8 in the first innings. It was sub-par, to say the least.

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During the second innings, Punjab lost their first wicket in the third over as Jonny Bairstow failed to impress once again. Nevertheless, Shikhar Dhawan left no stone unturned in ensuring that the Punjab-based franchise gets some quick runs on the board. He was well supported by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who scored a 28-ball 40. He was dismissed by Lockie Ferguson in the 12th over. However, an important point to be noted is that Punjab's skipper Agarwal didn't come to bat during the game.

On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan continued his mayhem as he saw his side through. He and Liam Livingstone propelled the 2014-finalists to a relatively easy chase. As a matter of fact, the English all-rounder hit some humongous sixes to finish the game early. At the end, Punjab chased their total with four overs to spare. Dhawan ended up scoring an unbeaten 62 off 53 balls. Several fans took to Twitter to discuss the game.

Here are some of the best Tweets from today's game:

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Late to tweet this, but Gujarat should've played R Sai Kishore over Sangwan on these kind of pitches

— 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙮𝙪𝙨𝙝 (@ps26_11) May 3, 2022

117M SIX BY LIAM LIVINGSTONE! #IPL2022

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) May 3, 2022

Who would have thought that Bairstow will have a horror of a season just like Maxwell and Pooran for PBKS, so unlucky franchise, these are quality players in this format and have had such consistent low scores.

— Rajdeep Singh (@CricRajdeep) May 3, 2022

Hardik Pandya has done it. He is no more worried after KKR dropped Venkatesh Iyer. #IPL

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 3, 2022

Started in a sluggish manner but how well he's picked up amidst the rubble around him. The temperament that Sai Sudharsan has is truly admirable! What a talent - here to stay! #IPL2022 #GTvPBKS

— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) May 3, 2022

Sangwan should make way for R Sai Kishore next game.

There's no point of wasting him like this.
Days when Shami, Lockie goes for runs, someone has to stop the runs and Sai Kishore can do that.

Don't understand why GT management are so rigid with Team selections.

— Arnab (@ArnabBasu21) May 3, 2022

Absolute crazy knock by Livingstone, 30 runs in just 10 balls. 6 6 6 4 2 4😍.

— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) May 3, 2022

Good to be back after 3 days break, wonderful that the return is backed by 2 crucial points against the table toppers!
Livin freakin stone 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Dhawan leading the way...
Top stuff by the bowlers yet again!

We live to fight another day!
Johny boy big one is due!#ਸਾਡਾਪੰਜਾਬ

— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) May 3, 2022

Lockie Ferguson and Mohammed Shami bowling 140+ kph off spinners from round the wicket to Dhawan and Rajapaksa😐

— Naman Agarwal (@CoverDrivenFor4) May 3, 2022

#RishiDhawan wants to be always in the game. That is how he played for his state in the VH Trophy.

And now a brilliant throw with only one stump to aim at.

Ubiquitous.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 3, 2022

Bhanuka Rajapaksa only 50 lakhs. Baki team ke analysts so rahe the kya ?

— Prithvi (@Puneite_) May 3, 2022

Blood is on stove right now, atleast GT should have lost the match closely.

— Udit (@udit_buch) May 3, 2022