Opener Shikhar Dhawan played a perfect anchor role innings to guide Punjab Kings to a victory against the rampant Gujarat Titans, handing Hardik Pandya‘s team only their .second defeat of the season. Punjab, who had won just one of their last four matches, got back to winning ways and now have 10 points in 10 games, positioned fifth on the points table.
PBKS bowlers had done commendably well to restrict the Gujarat total to 143. Chasing a below-par target, PBKS, though, lost the out-of-form Jonny Bairstow for just 1 run as the move to promote the Englishman at the top failed today.
RuPay On-The-Go 4s of the Match between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings is Shikhar Dhawan.#TATAIPL @RuPay_npci #RuPayOnTheGoFours #GTvPBKS pic.twitter.com/CccRdfAudL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2022
Skipper Mayank Agarwal took a demotion and sent in Bhanuka Rajapaksa, opting to replace the aggressor in Bairstow with the aggressor in Rajapaksa, aiming to keep up with the tempo they had decided before the season.
While the Sri Lankan took on the attack rapidly, smashing 40 runs off 28 balls, Shikhar Dhawan played a sedate second fiddle role. He got regular boundaries while also was smart in rotating the strike.
Dhawan was smart in attacking Gujarat’s weaker links: after stroking Sangwan for a couple of classy strokes, Dhawan whacked a four and a six to Alzarri Joseph. The left-hander got fours to the GT pacers while was cautious in dealing with Rashid Khan. He brought up his half-century – third of the season – with a crisp straight drive four to Ferguson, off 38 balls and has been the spine of Punjab’s chase.
While Rajapaksa got dismissed, Dhawan needn’t take any such risks as Liam Livingstone tore in Mohammed Shami, carting the seamer for 28 runs, including launching a ridiculous 117-metre six, and completed the chase.
Dhawan remained unbeaten on 62 off 53 balls, his knock including 8 fours and a six, providing the freedom to the Rajapaksa and Livingstone to play their natural game.
Netizens were in all praise for this smart knock from the experienced Shikhar Dhawan, who now averages 46 this season having scored 369 runs.
Here are some of the best tweets in praise for Shikhar Dhawan:
Shikhar Dhawan is an ipl legend. Has Scored a minimum of 300 runs in 13/15 seasons. Just keeps clocking them season after season. What a player
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 3, 2022
Fifty by Shikhar Dhawan in 38 balls. His 47th half century in the IPL, he’s been excellently consistent from last few years.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 3, 2022
Most 50+ scores in successful IPL chases:
20 – Shikhar Dhawan
18 – Gautam Gambhir
18 – David Warner#IPL2022 #GTvPBKS— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) May 3, 2022
5⃣0⃣ for @SDhawan25. Well played, Gabbar bhai!
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 3, 2022
Shikhar Dhawan appreciation post
pic.twitter.com/mkUjgRauwA
— DHA
(@blitzkrieg71_) Brother @SDhawan25 top form
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 3, 2022
Shikhar Dhawan has the worst batting stance even after a being a lefty
PS:not a dhawan hater— Harsh (@Harsh7969355) May 3, 2022
Shikhar dhawan will retire as the greatest Indian batsman ever to play in an IPL.@SDhawan25
— kunwar (@KunwarP45) May 3, 2022
Nobody can beat the consistency level of shikhar dhawan and kl rahul in IPL s …
— RUBINOL (@rubinol5) May 3, 2022
Fantastic feeling to receive appreciation frm the star batter Shikhar Dhawan himself
Outstanding innings against CSK with 88 runs smash
Best Wishes for the upcoming games Shikhar
Gratitude to #MithunSir for making this possible
— Boys MR (@mayyuu007) May 3, 2022
Shikhar Dhawan always got overshadowed because of Virat and Rohit
Most underrated Batsman in last 10 years.
— Cricket
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Lover // Bumrah Is GOAT (@CricCrazyV) Shikhar Dhawan For T20 World Cup ?
— Vaibhav Bhola
(@VibhuBhola) Shikhar Dhawan is more consistent in IPL than Rohit & Kohli in last 4 yrs but he has very less chance to play t20i again. That’s why I never believe in IPL performance. #IPL2022
— ∆ S H I M
(@BiggestRoFan) Give chance to this man this Shikhar Dhawan in T20 WorldCup. What a consistancy
— #WearMask
(@oii_ammy) 