Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill conceded that his team would have liked a more comfortable pursuit, but he was satisfied to come away with two vital points after a nail-biting win over Punjab Kings. Chasing 164 on a surface that slowed the ball down, GT were forced to dig in during the closing moments before securing a four-wicket triumph, powered by Sai Sudharsan’s steady 57 and Washington Sundar’s decisive late hitting.
Key takeaways
- Gujarat Titans chased 164 successfully, winning by four wickets after a tense run to the end.
- Sai Sudharsan played a key anchoring role with a 57-run knock.
- Washington Sundar finished the chase decisively in the final phase.
- Shubman Gill said the pitch made it unrealistic to expect a quick chase in the mid-teens overs.
- Earlier, GT’s bowlers restricted Punjab Kings to 47 for five, setting up the chase.
- Jason Holder’s figures of 4/24, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, helped Gujarat stay on track in the match.
Gill on the challenge of the chase
Speaking after the match, Gill explained that the conditions never truly allowed for an effortless chase. He pointed out that the team would have preferred to reach the target without going as deep as they had to, but the outcome mattered more given the importance of the points. Gill stressed that the wicket type meant GT could not simply plan for an easy finish. “In chases like these, we would have liked to not take it as deep as it went but two crucial points,” he said, adding that this was not the sort of pitch where a side can reasonably expect to wrap things up in 15 or 16 overs.
The skipper also revealed that Gujarat’s planning had included a slightly earlier finish if the ball and conditions cooperated, though he acknowledged the pitch had other ideas. “We thought maybe one or two overs before… that was the talk,” Gill said, underlining that the team’s intent was to accelerate, but circumstances dictated otherwise.
Gill further highlighted why batting through the difficult phase was essential. On a wicket where scoring cleanly from the first delivery proved tough, he said length deliveries did not behave the same way as they might on other tracks. “It’s not easy to hit from ball one. Length balls weren’t coming on as they do on other wickets. It was important for the batter who is set,” he explained.
How Sudharsan and Sundar shaped the finish
That job, according to Gill, was carried out superbly by Sudharsan. He described the left-right combination of roles within the innings—Sudharsan providing the calm, structured base and Sundar stepping up when the pressure rose. Gill praised the way Sudharsan anchored the chase, before Washington Sundar took over in the closing stages to complete the job. “Luckily we had Washi and he finished the game for us,” he added.
Gill also spoke about the tactical thinking behind Gujarat’s selection during the chase, particularly their decision to use left-hand batters in succession. Rather than treating it as a rigid plan, he framed it as a situation-based choice. “We just sent the best batter that we thought in that situation,” he said, pointing to the adaptability Gujarat showed across the innings.
GT’s bowling set the platform before the chase
Before Gujarat went after the target, their bowlers created a strong starting position for the pursuit by keeping Punjab Kings under pressure. Punjab were reduced to 47 for five, giving GT a platform to chase 164 with confidence, even on a testing wicket.
Jason Holder produced the standout spell for Gujarat, recording 4/24. Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada also contributed crucial breakthroughs, helping maintain control and ensuring Punjab couldn’t build a platform for a late surge.
With the victory, Gujarat Titans moved to 12 points and stayed firmly in the playoff hunt. Gill’s comments and the match narrative reflected the bigger theme of the night: the ability to adjust to tough conditions and close out a tight contest when the margin was thin.
