In a thrilling encounter between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), GT captain Shubman Gill showcased his leadership skills while also delivering with the bat, guiding his team to a crucial three-wicket victory. Despite the dual responsibilities of captaincy and batting, Gill maintained a composed approach, emphasizing that he prioritizes his role as a batter when he steps onto the field.
Shubman Gill’s composed innings of 35 runs proved instrumental in steering GT towards victory, albeit he expressed a desire to finish the game sooner. However, securing the two points was paramount for him, underscoring his ability to compartmentalize his responsibilities on the field.
The young skipper reiterated his focus on batting without letting the burden of captaincy affect his mindset. He clarified that his shot selection in the previous IPL 2024 encounter was independent of any external pressures, highlighting his commitment to playing his natural game despite the leadership role. Gill also expressed his satisfaction with his new role as GT captain, aside from minor concerns about over-rate issues.
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“When I am out there batting, I want to play as a batter. He (Livingstone) was trying to rush me there but the ball that I got out, I would have made that decision even without that bit,” Shubman Gill stated during the post-match presentation.
Shubman Gill has claimed that he doesn’t think about captaincy while batting in the middle.#IPL2024 #PBKSvsGT | @ITGDsports https://t.co/GJAsDg96bt
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) April 22, 2024
“Would have liked to finish it earlier, good to get those two points. It’s been very exciting for me to be able to take up this role. Except for the over-rate, everything is good,” Shubman Gill concluded.
The closely contested match saw PBKS post a respectable total of 142/9, courtesy of contributions from Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran, and Harpreet Brar. In response, GT faced early setbacks but Gill, along with Sai Sudharsan, stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership.
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Despite a mid-innings wobble, Rahul Tewatia’s explosive knock of 36* off 18 balls ensured GT’s victory with five balls to spare. With this win, GT currently occupies the sixth position on the points table and is set to lock horns with Delhi Capitals in their upcoming fixture on Wednesday, April 24, in Delhi.
