Shubman Gill played a key role with the bat in Gujarat Titans’ comprehensive 62-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at MCA Stadium, Pune on Tuesday (May 10).
Opening the innings, the right-hander scored 63 not out off 49 balls as GT posted a modest 144/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Gill’s knock was studded with 7 fours and he received criticism for his steady approach throughout the innings despite having wickets in hand.
Until the Lucknow team batted on the same surface, Shubman Gill’s knock was deemed as selfish. But as it turned out, GT bowlers successfully defended the total by bundling out LSG for a paltry 82 in 13.5 overs on a two-paced pitch.
After the game, Gill took to Twitter and shut down his critics for calling his innings ‘selfish’. He used two emojis – one of a tortoise and the other one of a hare to put across his message that slow and steady wins the race.
For his unbeaten half-century, Shubman Gill also earned the Player-of-the-Match award.
“Always pleasing when you're there till the end and finish the game for your team. I didn't expect the ball to seam as much at the start. It was nipping around, and then I expected the spinners to get some turn. I think they didn't bowl up much. Had Krunal pitched it up, it would have been tougher. It helped us turn the singles over,” the opening batter said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
With this victory, Gujarat Titans reclaimed the top spot on the points table and also become the first team in the 2022 season of the IPL to qualify for the play-offs. They will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on May 15.
