Gujarat Titans edged past Punjab Kings in a nail-biting IPL contest on Sunday, sealing a four-wicket victory while chasing 164. Sai Sudharsan anchored the chase with a measured fifty, and the outcome was pushed over the line in the last over with Washington Sundar’s unbeaten 40. With the ball, Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada ensured Punjab never truly settled, trimming the innings at key moments on a track that offered a touch of resistance.
Gujarat’s chase and Punjab’s fightback
- Punjab began poorly after being pushed to 47 for five within nine overs, losing wickets at regular intervals.
- Debutant Suryansh Shedge responded aggressively, striking 57 off just 29 balls to breathe life into the innings.
- Shedge built an important 79-run stand with Marcus Stoinis, who added 40 to support the acceleration.
- Once captain Shubman Gill was dismissed early, Sudharsan took control of the run chase, striking 57 from 41 deliveries.
- Sudharsan also combined effectively with Jos Buttler, with Buttler contributing 25 and clearing the ropes twice with big sixes.
- Sudharsan completed his third half-century of the season before being dismissed close to the boundary.
- After Rahul Tewatia fell, Gujarat still required 11 runs with the last over remaining.
- Washington Sundar finished the job unbeaten on 40, producing the winning moment with a scooped six off Stoinis.
How Punjab’s total was shaped
Punjab’s innings never truly got comfortable, largely due to Gujarat’s early breakthroughs. Siraj struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. Rabada followed by removing Prabhsimran Singh with a sharp delivery, and Holder then added to the pressure by taking wickets of Nehal Wadhera and captain Shreyas Iyer. While Shedge later counterattacked with multiple big hits, the innings ended at 163 for nine, leaving Punjab short of the target.
