NEW CHANDIGARH: It wasn’t a 200-plus slugfest that fans nowadays associate with the IPL. But what unfolded in New Chandigarh on Tuesday evening was Punjab Kings sneaking home by three wickets in the final over against Gujarat Titans.

Parthiv Patel, GT’s assistant coach, wasn’t complaining. “Obviously, there was a contest here between the bat and the ball. These 160-170 totals produce exciting, edge-of-the-seat games. There is a contest,” Patel said.

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In an era where scores of 200-plus have become increasingly common, Patel stressed that conditions remain the biggest factor in shaping the nature of a T20 game. “Conditions make a big difference whether it is going to be a balanced contest-oriented game”, said Patel.

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As for Gujarat, the loss stings. But Patel’s pragmatism cuts through cleanly — the discussion around ideal scores is secondary to results. Whether it’s a high-scoring shootout or a tense chase of a modest total, the end goal remains unchanged. “Whichever match gives us two points, we would prefer that. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a 200-plus game or a 140 chasing-down game,” he said.

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