[Watch] Wriddhiman Saha Does an MS Dhoni from Behind the Stumps
Saha also ran out Shahrukh Khan (IPLT20.COM)
Gujarat Titans chased down Punjab Kings’ 153-run total in Match Number 18 of IPL 2023 with a ball to spare. However, the defending champions would have been chasing a much bigger target, had it not been for the street smarts of their wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.
During the Punjab Kings innings, Saha forced a reluctant Hardik Pandya to take a review, at a time when even bowler Mohit Sharma had not appealed for a caught-behind.
Saha’s awareness earned a crucial wicket
During the 13th over of the Punjab Kings innings, batter Jitesh Sharma had seemingly missed a back of a length ball from Titans’ Mohit Sharma. While the speedster and the umpire remained unmoved, wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha believed that Jitesh Sharma got a faint touch onto the ball.
Saha forced his captain Hardik Pandya to go for a review, and as it turned out, the UltraEdge confirmed there was a smidge of an edge by Sharma. The on-field umpire changed his decision and Punjab Kings sank into further trouble at 92-4.
The hosts ultimately dragged themselves to a respectable 153-8, with death overs barbarian Shahrukh Khan clubbing a 9-ball 22.
While Gujarat Titans looked comfortable throughout the run-chase, slight batting hiccups coupled with some accurate yorkers from Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran forced the encounter to its penultimate ball.
The Titans eventually got over the line courtesy of a courageous scoop from the Kings' familiar nemesis Rahul Tewatia, as they garnered another two points with a win to jump to number three on the points table.
The Titans will now face the Rajasthan Royals on April 16. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
 "Aakash Saini")
