PBKS vs GT, IPL 2024: Rahul Tewatia, Sai Kishore guide Gujarat Titans to victory over Kings XI Punjab

R Sai Kishore performed brilliantly for the spinners as Gujarat Titans beat Kings XI Punjab by three wickets for their fourth win in IPL 2024 at Mulanpur on Sunday. The spin trio of Sai Kishore (4/33), Rashid Khan (1/15) and Noor Ahmed (2/20) unraveled the intrigue of an unprepared Kings XI Punjab, bowling them out for 142 runs. Liam Livingstone, who bounced between leg-break and spin with ease, struck twice at mid-on to keep Kings XI Punjab alive in the match. However, he did not get much support from spinner Harpreet Brar, who picked up 35 runs in four overs in a low-scoring match.

The Titans scored 42 off 30 balls and won comfortably in 19.1 overs, with Rahul Tewatia’s cameo helping to ease the pressure (36 not out in 16 overs).

It was the fourth win in eight matches for Gujarat Titans and Kings XI Punjab suffered their sixth defeat in eight matches.

Shubman Gill (35 off 29) was in fine form at the top of the order but was undone by an ill-advised aerial stroke from Livingstone. Sai Sudharson (31 from 33 balls) also found the stroke difficult, while the dangerous David Miller was Livingstone’s second victim.

Kings XI Punjab managed to apply pressure in the middle but Tewatia neutralized their threat with a timely strike through six boundaries.

Early on, spin got plenty of help and Kings XI Punjab eased the task for the visitors with the surrender of Sai Kishor.

Kings XI Punjab, one of the worst batting teams in the Powerplay this season, started brilliantly and reached 45 not out in five overs.

However, their innings went downhill as the spin trio of Sai Kishore, Rashid and Noor exposed the opposition with their guile.

Prabhasimran Singh (35 from 21 games) has struggled so far but found some much-needed rhythm before falling in the sixth round, bringing the drama down.

Soon after guiding Mohit Sharma (2/32) for a third-man six, Pravsimran ran down the wicket behind the catch.

Then the spin trio broke the backbone of Punjab’s batting. Left-arm spinner Sai Kishore, who led Tamil Nadu to the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy this season, has varied his pace effectively to create problems for the opposition batsmen.

The pressure was maintained at the other end through Noor and Rashid.

Noor’s first victim was Riley Rosso (9 off 7), who was trapped lbw while sweeping. Skipper Sam Curran (20 off 19) caught Rashid off and DRS ruled him and his opponent lbw.

Livingstone (6 for 9) tried to push Noor smartly towards mid-wicket but was led by Rahul Tewatia at first slip.

Sai Kishore also got rid of the out-of-form Jitesh Sharma (13 off 12 balls) to post 86 for 5 in the 12th over.

As has been the case so often this season, the uncapped pair of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma were asked to carry the load, but this time their failure made things worse for Punjab.

Harpreet Brar (29 off 12) led the home team to 140 runs.

(Except for the headline, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and appeared on a syndicated feed.)