'Game To Go This Close': Hardik Pandya's Strict Advice To His Batters Post GT's Win Over PBKS

Gujarat defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets after Mohit Sharma’s terrific spell of 18 runs for two wickets and Gill starred with the bat after scoring 67 runs in just 49 balls.

Hardik Pandya in action. ( Image Source :PTI )

Hardik Pandya, skipper of Gujarat Titans came up with a result for all his batters on Thursday. He requested them to be a bit adventurous in the middle overs going ahead in the 2023 edition of the IPL. Gujarat defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets with the help of Mohit Sharma’s terrific bowling figures of 18 runs for two wickets and Gill starred with the bat after scoring 67 runs in just 49 balls.

Though it was a close game at the end as the Gujarat-based franchise finished the run chase of 154 runs with a ball to spare.

"To be very honest, I would not appreciate the game to go this close from the situation we were in. There was definitely a lot for us to learn from this game. That's the beauty of sports, it's never over till it's over," Hardik Pandya said at the post-match presentation.

"So we will go back to the drawing board. I think we can take a couple more risks in the middle overs. We should take risks and play shots in the middle overs, need to make sure the game doesn't go so deep.

"The wicket was good but because of the hardness of the soil and wicket, the ball was getting dried up. It was a belter when the new ball was playing."

Mohit Sharma made a terrific comeback in the cash-rich league by picking two crucial wickets as the last time he played in IPL was back in 2020.

"I was not surprised, when Mohit and Alzarri (Joseph) came. They bowled terrific. And credit to Mohit. To come join us as a net bowler and then wait for his chance, knowing his time will come and today it came. He has done a lot of hard work, he has shown patience and his time has come," skipper Hardik said.