New Delhi: Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by six wickets, with just a ball remaining as they chased 154 in Mohali. As PBKS could not put up a big total on the board, the credit goes to Mohit Sharma, who received the Player of the Match award for his 18/2 on his return to the IPL. After the game, the pacer talked about being honest in the process and getting the results.
In a video shared by the GT camp, Mohit said that he was waiting for this moment and got a message from coach Ashish Nehra at about 2:30 or 3:00 am that he will be playing the match. He said that his relationship with Mohammed Shami helped him on the field. The two pacers also led India’s attack in the 2015 World Cup and were critical in India reaching the semis.
He credited Titans’ bowling attack for bowling well in the first 10 overs and picking up wickets. He added that he feels happy that he could contribute to the team’s win.
A special day, a special debut, and a special chat with our Player of the Match, Mohit Sharma ? Here’s what he had to share after yesterday’s win against PBKS in Mohali.#AavaDe | #PBKSvGT | #TATAIPL 2023 pic.twitter.com/loRwN6jTmP
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) April 14, 2023
Another video shows Rashid Khan putting up a cake on Mohit’s face and Shami and him posing for pictures in the dressing room.
➕2️⃣ points and a celebratory cake-smash ?
A good day at work ?#AavaDe | #PBKSvGT | #TATAIPL 2023 pic.twitter.com/yAOWUNTdes
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) April 13, 2023
Mohit Sharma, who was the purple cap winner in the 2014 season and became an integral part of the Indian team, lost his rhythm and went missing from big games. The 34-year-old played IPL regularly in 2018 but got a game each in 2019 and 2020. He travelled last season with Gujarat Titans as a net bowler and worked on his skills with coach Nehra. Picking up a few wickets in the domestic circuit gave him the required match practice and he made a spectacular comeback in the tournament.
Mohit dismissed Jitesh Sharma in his first over, as the batter edged the ball to get caught behind. In the 19th over, he bowled a short off-cutter to Sam Curran, who handed a catch to Shubman Gill. Mohit was known for his slower deliveries, especially the one coming from the back of his hand, and he seemed to have worked on them.
Yeh Mo-Mo ke dhaage ??#AavaDe | #PBKSvGT | #TATAIPL 2023 pic.twitter.com/bTpmsqMHXi
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) April 13, 2023
In the game, Matthew Short scored 36 off 24 for PBKS and after a few slow knocks, it was M Shahrukh Khan who played a knock of 22 off 9 to take his side to a respectable total. Chasing 154, Wriddhiman Saha attacked a scored 30 off 19 while Gill made the most crucial contribution with his 67 off 49.
With seven needed off the last over, Sam Curran dismissed Gill and took the game deep before Rahul Tewatia hit a four to end the affairs.
