Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar heaped praise on the pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada after Gujarat Titans clinched a top-two finish in IPL 2026 with an 89-run triumph over Chennai Super Kings on May 22. Bangar said the two fast bowlers have set the right tempo for GT all season, and their ability to strike early has helped the franchise control matches from the outset—leading to another statement win in a high-pressure contest.
Batting first, Gujarat built a formidable platform thanks to half-centuries from B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler, finishing on 229/4. CSK, in reply, never really found their rhythm as Siraj, Rabada and Rashid Khan combined to dismantle the batting order and restrict the five-time champions to 140 all out in 13.4 overs, effectively ending their playoff hopes with the defeat.
Siraj and Rabada delivered the key bursts with the new ball, striking at a crucial stage to leave CSK reeling at 31/3 within the first three overs. Bangar highlighted that those early breakthroughs were central to how GT managed the match, because once the innings is tilted early, the rest of the bowling lineup can operate with less pressure and more attacking intent.
In Bangar’s view, the fast-bowling pair’s front-loaded spells have been instrumental not just for wickets, but also for the way GT can deploy Rashid Khan in the middle overs. By taking wickets early, Gujarat have been able to create a platform where the spin bowler can bowl with greater freedom rather than being forced into defensive variations. Bangar summed up the strategy by saying that Siraj and Rabada have “set the tone beautifully” for the Titans this season, adding that their long, attacking spells upfront allow the team to stay consistent without constantly tweaking fields or bowling changes from one end to the other.
He further noted that the ability of the two pacers to keep grabbing wickets early provides the ideal foundation for the rest of the bowling group. With Gujarat ahead in the contest from the beginning, Bangar believes that Rashid Khan becomes far harder to face, making GT’s overall bowling unit exceptionally well managed throughout the innings.
After Gujarat’s bowlers dominated the chase, Bangar also pointed to Jos Buttler’s unbeaten knock as a major factor in the final outcome. Buttler struck 57 not out off 27 balls, turning the momentum in the late stages of the innings and helping GT cross the 220-run mark with authority.
Buttler came to the crease after Gill’s dismissal and immediately changed the pace of the match. He struck Noor Ahmad for consecutive sixes before racing to his half-century in just 23 deliveries. That finishing acceleration ensured CSK’s chase never gained traction and left them with too much ground to make up, despite the early resistance they had managed before the collapses set in.
Bangar described Buttler’s innings as “hugely significant,” noting that it reflected dominance and intent while shifting the momentum decisively in Gujarat’s favour. He added that seeing Buttler in that kind of form is a major boost for GT ahead of the playoffs, especially because the strike rate and late surge played a direct role in putting the match beyond CSK’s reach.
