Gujarat Titans spinner Sai Kishore praised the impact of pacers Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, describing their “Test match” style spells as a decisive factor in the defending champions’ dominance. Speaking after GT’s clinical defence of 169 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kishore credited disciplined powerplay bowling that left SRH reeling at 32/4 and ultimately bundled them out for only 86—the lowest all-out total by the franchise in IPL history.
Key takeaways
- Sai Kishore said Rabada and Siraj’s Test-style execution was a major reason GT controlled the contest.
- SRH were restricted to 86 all out while chasing 169, their lowest IPL total as a team.
- GT’s innings featured half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar, helping the hosts reach 168/5.
- Rabada finished with 3/28 and was named Player of the Match for his powerplay spell.
- With eight wins from 12 matches, GT retained top spot on 16 points, while SRH slipped to third with 14 points.
Kishore’s view: Test cricket habits behind GT’s powerplay control
In the post-match media interaction, Kishore highlighted how Siraj and Rabada consistently hit the right lengths, turning those areas into wickets. He also pointed to the leadership and bowling thought process of the GT captain-coach combine, naming Shubman Gill and Ashish Nehra as key influences on how the team approaches overs in the opening phase.
“Siraj and Rabada have been hitting their lengths pretty well. That’s the advantage of having genuine Test match bowlers in the lineup,” Kishore said. He added that GT’s planning—what to bowl for in the powerplay, the decision not to over-rely on slower balls, the use of yorkers, and trusting a good hard length—has helped the team handle “powerplay chaos.”
Kishore also stressed that the wider philosophy has mattered across the season. “Test match bowling has made a huge difference for us,” he said.
Rabada and Siraj’s numbers, and the pitch context
Rabada entered the discussion as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the campaign, collecting 21 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 20.04. His economy rate was 9.15, and his best spell read 3/25. Siraj, meanwhile, contributed strongly as well, with 13 wickets from 12 games at an average of 27.84 and an economy of 8.22. His best figures were 2/23.
When asked about conditions, Kishore noted the surface played “damp” and offered seam movement. He said GT’s conversations in the dressing room revolved around setting a target around 170, provided they executed well during the powerplay with the new ball.
“There were talks that 170 was the par score, a very good one if we bowled well in the powerplay. Nishant batted with intent in the power play, Sai played very well, and Washington finished it,” Kishore explained. He also emphasised that the fast bowlers did their job early in the chase.
Sudharsan’s measured half-century and GT’s batting blueprint
Kishore praised Sai Sudharsan’s calculated fifty, explaining that the batter spent time at the crease and got his eye in as SRH chose to bowl first. He underlined the role of batting temperament rather than chasing the highest strike rate immediately.
“That is where batsmanship comes into play. Sai Sudharsan played a wonderful knock even though he wasn’t striking at the top rate. He took his percentage and played beautifully. In the end, it made a huge difference because Siraj and Rabada bowled with the ball seaming,” Kishore said.
Sudharsan’s season output was also highlighted: he has amassed 501 runs in 12 innings at an average of 41.75, striking at 155.10. The total includes one century and five fifties. He currently sits as the second-highest run-getter this season, trailing Heinrich Klaasen of SRH, who has 508 runs from 12 innings at an average of 50.80 with a strike rate of 153.93, also featuring five fifties.
Match rundown: GT’s 168/5 and SRH’s collapse to 86
SRH opted to bowl first and GT were quickly reduced to 26/2. Sai Sudharsan led the recovery with 61 off 44 balls, striking with five fours and two sixes. Nishant Sindhu contributed 22 off 14 deliveries, including three fours and a six, and the pair added a 38-run stand before Sudharsan combined with Washington Sundar for a 60-run partnership.
GT finished with 168/5 in their 20 overs, driven by half-centuries from Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. Washington made 50 off 33 balls with seven fours and a six.
For SRH, Praful Hinge produced a strong spell, taking 2/17 in three overs, while Sakib Hussain also grabbed two wickets with figures of 2/37 in four overs. Skipper Pat Cummins chipped in with a four-over effort of 1/20.
Chase details: Siraj strikes, Rabada breaks the top order
In the chase, Mohammed Siraj provided the early breakthrough, delivering a sharp spell of 1/11 in three overs and removing Travis Head for a duck. Kagiso Rabada then took control with a powerplay spell of 3/28 across four overs, disassembling SRH’s top order that included Abhishek Sharma (6), Ishan Kishan (11), and Smaran Ravichandran (9). By 5.5 overs, SRH were 32/4.
SRH’s innings ended soon after. Jason Holder finished with 3/20 in four overs, and Prasidh Krishna added 2/23 in three overs to bowl SRH out for 86. Cummins scored 19 as the top contribution for the visitors.
Award and standings update
Rabada was awarded Player of the Match for his standout powerplay work.
With eight victories and four defeats, GT remain at the top of the table on 16 points. SRH, after sliding from the contest, have seven wins and five losses, sitting third with 14 points.
