Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowlers were top-class in the final six overs to seal an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. At one stage, the home side was cruising in their chase of an imposing 244-run target. After 14 overs, GT were 169/2 — 30 runs ahead of PBKS at the same stage (139/4) and with two fewer wickets lost.
With 75 needed off the last six overs and both Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford well set, it looked like GT would complete the chase comfortably, especially with the dew making it tough for the PBKS bowlers. However, PBKS’ trump card, Vijaykumar Vyshak, changed the game.
In the 15th over, he conceded just five runs, sticking to a wide yorker length. Marco Jansen then kept up the momentum, giving away only eight runs in the following over. Vyshak returned in the 17th over and stuck to his strategy, bowling precise yorkers. Though he conceded three wides, he still gave away just five runs in total.
In the next two overs, Vyshak and Jansen combined to concede 30 runs but managed to dismiss Buttler, who got out for 54 off 33 balls. At the other end, Rutherford was visibly frustrated. Despite trying hard to find the boundaries against the wide yorkers and low full tosses, he could not capitalise.
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In the final over, Arshdeep Singh removed Rutherford for 46 off 28 balls, conceding 15 runs. PBKS’ death-over strategy was clear — bowl wide yorkers and force the batters into risky shots. Arshdeep confirmed this after the match, saying: “The thought (process) was simple and clear – we will make them play on the off-side. Really happy for Vyshak. He is putting in the hard yards in practice. The plan was, if you are going to miss, miss on the wider side. The dew made it tough, but the idea was to bowl as wide as possible.”
This IPL has seen several impact substitutes shine under pressure. First, Mumbai Indians’ (MI) youngster Vignesh Puthur impressed against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Then, Ashutosh Sharma delivered for Delhi Capitals (DC) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Now, Vyshak stepped up for PBKS. In a high-scoring match where both teams combined for 475 runs, he conceded just 28 runs in three overs, holding his nerve and executing his yorkers to perfection.
Earlier in the game, Shubman Gill’s blistering 14-ball 33 gave GT a flying start. Buttler then combined with Sai Sudharsan for an 86-run stand before Sudharsan departed for a brilliant 74 off 41 balls. For PBKS, captain Shreyas Iyer lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium with an outstanding unbeaten 97 off 42 balls at a strike rate of 230.95, bagging the Player of the Match award.
Youngster Priyansh Arya impressed with a quickfire 47 off 23, while Shashank Singh provided the finishing touches, smashing an unbeaten 44 off just 16 balls at a staggering strike rate of 275. PBKS batters set the stage, but their bowlers’ execution in the death overs ultimately sealed a thrilling win.
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