Brand new side Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings featured in the 48th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL), on Tuesday, May 3. Kings (PBKS) gave it all, reliving their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. However, Punjab’s clinical performance wasn’t all as, Kevin Pietersen’s hilarious question while trolling Graeme Smith in the commentary box became the talk of the town.
PBKS defeated the best side in the tournament so far, Gujarat Titans (GT), by eight wickets. Hardik Pandya led GT won the toss and elected to bat first, at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Opening with Wriddhiman Saha and Shubhman Gill, GT lost both of their openers within the powerplay.
It was Sai Sudharsan, the GT number three batter, who aided the Titans to put on a respectable total of 143 for eight. Sudharsan, The left-hand batter scored 65 runs off 50 balls and carried the bat. His vital knock involved five boundaries and a six. Excluding Sudharsan, none of the GT batters could sustain against PBKS’ reasonable bowling lineup. Besides, Kagiso Rabada of PBKS was the best in the match so far, with four wickets in his account.
The amusing instance between Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Smith occurred when PBKS were batting. It was the 14th over of their innings and the English superstar Liam Livingstone was batting with PBKS opener Shikhar Dhawan. In the meantime, the host broadcasters were showing a list of ‘most sixes hit by the batters in IPL 2022.’
Discussing the list, the former English cricketer asked Smith if he had ever hit a six in his cricketing career. This question left Murali Kartik, who was on air with Smith and Pietersen in splits. Kartik and Pietersen were laughing out loud, while the former South African skipper seemed to be irritated.
Later on, Smith replied to Pietersen saying, “I don’t need to waste my time with your rubbish. Also, have you ever won the IPL?”
Watch the video:
https://twitter.com/addicric/status/1521543587715944449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1521543587715944449%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsportscafe.in%2Fcricket%2Farticles%2F2022%2Fmay%2F04%2Fipl-2022-twitter-reacts-to-kevin-pietersen-trolling-graeme-smith-with-hilarious-question
Furthermore, PBKS chased the target with the help of Dhawan’s unbeaten knock of 62 off 53 deliveries. In the interim, Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa too scored quick 40 runs in 28 balls, and in the end, Livingstone smashed GT bowlers, scoring 30 runs at a strike rate of 300, with two boundaries and three sixes!
Moreover, GT is at the top and is almost qualified for the playoffs, while PBKS is at fifth position and will have to win three out of their four remaining encounters.
Written By Prachi Pisal
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