Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
On Tuesday, March 25, Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered a decent 11-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT), to start their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign on a high. At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Priyansh Arya scored a fantastic 47 off 23 deliveries but Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten knock of 97 runs off 42 deliveries helped them put a competitive 244-run target with ease.
For the unversed, the GT captain, Shubman Gill, decided to field first, wanting the Punjab-based franchise to take the strike early in Ahmedabad. Priyansh Arya kickstarted the proceeding for the PBKS, alongside Prabhsimran Singh. However, the latter was dismissed after scoring five runs off eight deliveries, Arya went onto add 47 runs.
The youngster was joined by skipper Shreyas Iyer, playing a 42-ball unbeaten 97 to help the side post a competitive score. After falls of Azmatullah Omarzai, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis’ wickets, Iyer was joined by Shashank Singh, who played a 16-ball 44*. For Gujarat, Sai Kishore picked three wickets, whereas Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan claimed one each.
PBKS defends 243-run total with ease; win by 11 runs
In the second innings, Sai Sudharsan walked out to open alongside skipper Shubman Gill. Sai quickly raced to 74 off 41 deliveries, Gill took his time to add 33 runs off 14 deliveries before getting out off Glenn Maxwell’s over. After the GT openers departed, Jos Buttler looked good, scoring a well-made 54 off 33, he was joined by Sherfane Rutherford, who was called in an impact player for Prasidh Krishna.
With over 35 runs required off 12 deliveries, it looked a little out of GT’s syllabus and eventually fell 11 runs short of the target. The PBKS bowlers although looked out of touch, failing to get among the wickets, Arshdeep Singh got two, Marco Jansen, Glenn Maxwell picked a wicket each as they restricted Gujarat to 232 in their stipulated 20 overs.
