In the 46th match of the IPL 2026, Gujarat Titans (GT) secured a nail-biting four-wicket victory over the table-topping Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The Titans’ bowling attack was clinical, especially in the Powerplay. Mohammed Siraj destroyed the top order quickly, striking twice in the first over to dismiss Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. Kagiso Rabada increased the pressure with a rare wicket-maiden, ending with 2/22. However, Jason Holder was the show’s headliner, earning Player of the Match honours for his career-best 4/24. Holder’s height and variety were too much for the PBKS middle order, shattering partnerships just as the Kings were about to surge.
GT’s chase was a planned effort, led by Sai Sudharsan (57), who scored a magnificent half-century. Sudharsan stabilised the innings alongside Jos Buttler (26), after skipper Shubman Gill (5) was dismissed early by Arshdeep Singh. The contest became heated in the last overs, with wickets falling frequently, including a short battle for Rahul Tewatia. Washington Sundar ultimately took over the game, scoring 40 off 23 balls*. With 11 runs needed from the last over, Sundar kept his cool to capture the victory with a stunning six over fine leg off Marcus Stoinis with one ball left.
The visitor’s innings was a spectacular comeback after a disastrous start. Electing to bat, the Kings were reeling at 47/5 by the ninth over, with the top order, including Shreyas Iyer (19) and Nehal Wadhera, unable to keep up with the early onslaught. Suryansh Shedge (57) spearheaded the revival with a spectacular fifty. He was effectively assisted by Marcus Stoinis (40) in a 79-run combination that changed the momentum. Marco Jansen’s late cameo (20) lifted the total to a battling 163/9, a substantial improvement from their early collapse.
Defending a low score, the PBKS bowlers forced the Titans to fight for every run. Arshdeep Singh (2/24) was outstanding, giving the early breakthrough for Gill and returning at the death to get rid of Holder. Vijaykumar Vyshak was similarly efficient, taking 2/31, including the important wicket of Sudharsan. The Kings used the varying bounce of the Ahmedabad surface to keep the run rate under check, leading the game into the last over. However, the gamble of having Marcus Stoinis bowl the final over backfired as GT’s lower order used the speed to cross the finish line.
With this win, GT now have 12 points.
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