Change of pace was the way to go: Sai Kishore on his best IPL figures

Even though the match went to the final over, Gujarat Titans registered a rather comfortable win over Punjab Kings in Match 37 of IPL 2024. Chasing the under-par total of 143, Gujarat crossed the finish line on the first ball of the final over, with Rahul Tewatia scoring an ice-cold 36 not out off 18 balls, also the highest individual score of the match on both sides.  

However, the heroes of the game were with the ball. The GT spinners – Rashid Khan (1/15), Noor Ahmad (2/20) and R Sai Kishore (4/33) – picked eight wickets between them. After the Afghan duo pulled Punjab down from their promising start, Sai Kishore swept them off their feat, taking wickets of Jitesh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma and Harpreet Brar. He was adjudged the Player of the Match on his return to the side after more than three weeks. 

“Just trying to give my 120% for the team,” the left-arm spinner said after collecting the award. 

“Playing after 20-25 days, so just wanted to go there, enjoy myself and give my everything,” he told. 

In a season where the value of spinners has dipped, the stadium in Mullanpur has helped the spinners a lot. Sai Kishore, using the grip in the surface, ran through Punjab’s middle order.  

“Instinctively I felt into the wicket and just change of pace was the way to go here, it worked out beautifully. Credit to everyone who showed up today,” Sai Kishore shed light on his bowling plans for the day. 

Sam Curran, the PBKS’ skipper echoed similar thoughts. “The Afghanistan spinners are world class bowlers and Sai Kishore bowled really well,” Curran acknowledged. 

Curran also reckoned his side were 10-15 runs short with the bat, saying the side should have scored 160 after the start they had. 

“I think so,” he said when asked if Punjab were under-par. “That is the third time we have used that pitch, anything above 160 would have been a par total but we still fought well.

“Prabhsimran played really well in the powerplay but unfortunately we lost a cluster of wickets after that,” he expanded. 

Gujarat have moved to the sixth spot on the points table, securing their fourth win after a blip against Delhi Capitals. Punjab Kings have lost their fourth game in a row and ar elanguishing at the ninth spot. 

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