Punjab Kings (PBKS) are locking horns with Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 18th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the PCA stadium in Mohali. The role of wicketkeepers has become ever so important in the modern game with the introduction of DRS. GT’s gloveman, Wriddhiman Saha served the perfect reminder of how much an aware keeper can help a team after he forced the team to review a caught behind the appeal and thus earned them a crucial wicket.
Gujarat Titans took charge in the first innings against Punjab Kings at Mohali on Thursday as they reduced the hosts to 94/4 at the end of 13 overs. While the new ball bowlers made early inroads, it was Hardik Pandya and his brilliant captaincy and Wriddhiman Saha’s awareness that helped the team dismiss the dangerous Jitesh Sharma.
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The returning right-arm quick Mohit Sharma had the ball in hand and he delivered it at length on a fourth stump on the second ball of his over.
Jitesh attempted a backfoot punch but the Kookaburra went past his willow by a whisker. However, much to everyone’s surprise, Saha raised both his hands in appeal, forcing the bowler to turn back after he had already begun the walk back to the crease. Despite the lack of conviction shared by everyone else, a passionate Hardik Pandya decided to back Saha and go upstairs at the very last moment, even as the DRS counter on the screen read 0.
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The entire team was left with wide grins on their face when the replays showed that Saha was indeed correct in his judgement, thus helping the team further solidify their strong stance with a crucial scalp.
Here is the video of the incident:
https://twitter.com/DavidBeckham800/status/1646533523111825410?s=20
The Twitterati could not help but marvel at Saha’s awareness and took to social media to express their appreciation.
After the DRS timeout, Hardik Pandya took DRS, the umpire should have checked the time before giving out to Jitesh Sharma.@JioCinema#IPLinHindi
— Pramod Yadav (@PramodK_YDV) April 13, 2023
OzzyPandya – when Hardik Pandya takes a fluke chance with DRS and gets lucky with the wicket. #IPL2023
— Aravind (@netcitizen) April 13, 2023
#IPLonJioCinema
Ekadam Sahi time per DRS liya Hardik Pandya ne nahin to wicket hath se nikal jata— Enemum Roxx (@enemum_roxx) April 13, 2023
Is Hardik P took DRS within 10 seconds. @JioCinema #IPLHindi
— Sudhansu Mohanty (@MSudhansuSai) April 13, 2023
Hardik Pandya trusted the confident appeal of Wriddhiman Saha and took the review in the last second, which turned out in favour of Gujarat.
Source: Twitter#WriddhimanSaha #JoshuaLittle #Gujarat #HardikPandya #Punjab #ShikharDhawan #Cricket #T20 #IndianCricket #SKY247 pic.twitter.com/6QjbOHMY61
— Sky247 (@officialsky247) April 13, 2023
#GTvsPBKS #hardikpandya activities in the field are very irritating and over acting
— Akash Singh (@AkashSingh178) April 13, 2023
Superb from Wriddhiman Saha with that Jitesh Sharma DRS!#PBKSvsGT
— Nish Navalkar (@YUVI_NISH) April 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/arthwrites/status/1646533093304725504?s=20
