Washington Sundar showed nerves of steel to power the Gujarat Titans home in a nervy win over the Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday, May 3. Sundar played an unbeaten 40-run knock to help the Titans hunt down 164 in a four-wicket win on the second last ball of the clash.
The hosts lost wickets in a flurry, and it all came down to 11 needed off the final over as Arshad Khan farmed the strike with Sundar at the other end. He hit a four off a yorker against Marcus Stoinis on the second ball before a brace and a single brought Sundar back.
With three needed from the final two balls, Sundar went for a scoop on the full toss for a six over fine leg to win it for the GT, who have now bagged their third straight win to put their challenge for the playoffs. Meanwhile, this was PBKS' second straight loss of the season, after going down to the Rajasthan Royals previously.
Sudharsan sets it up with fifty
It was Sai Sudharsan who set up the chase with his cool-headed 57 from 41 balls. After skipper Shubman Gill was dismissed early by Arshdeep Singh, Sai Sudharsan steadied the chase with a 53-run stand for the second wicket alongside Jos Buttler.
Buttler (25) played the more aggressive role, hitting Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett for a six each, including a bold scoop over the wicketkeeper. However, he eventually fell while trying to clear the infield off Vyshak Vijayakumar, with Shreyas Iyer completing the catch.
Sudharsan remained composed and brought up his third fifty of IPL 2026 off 37 balls. He marked the milestone with two boundaries off Yuzvendra Chahal, but was later caught on the ropes by Bartlett while attempting a pull off Vysakh. Rahul Tewatia’s dismissal added late tension, leaving the Gujarat Titans needing 11 runs in the final over. Washington Sundar (40* off 23) held his nerve and sealed the win with a scooped six off Marcus Stoinis.
Shedge takes PBKS to 169/9
Earlier, despite a well-compiled fifty from Suryansh Shedge, the Punjab Kings were restricted to 163 for nine. The total, however, looked even more challenging after the Gujarat Titans’ pacers made early inroads.
Shedge 29-ball knock proved crucial in a 79-run sixth-wicket stand with Marcus Stoinis (40), helping PBKS recover from a precarious position. Known for his role as a finisher in domestic cricket for Mumbai, Shashank brought that experience to the fore, playing with control and patience against the disciplined GT attack.
While he largely respected the conditions and bowlers, he seized his chances when offered. In the 14th over from Manav Suthar, he exploded with 6, 6, 4, 4, 6, plundering 26 runs and reaching his fifty off just 24 balls. However, his innings ended soon after as he edged Kagiso Rabada (2/22) to Jos Buttler, triggering another PBKS collapse.
Earlier, Mohammed Siraj set the tone for Gujarat with a brilliant opening burst, dismissing Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly off consecutive deliveries in the very first over. Arya sliced one to debutant Nishant Sandhu, while Connolly edged behind to Buttler. Prabhsimran Singh also fell cheaply, misjudging a 152 kmph delivery from Rabada and scooping it to Suthar inside the circle.
Jason Holder then tightened the screws further, removing Nehal Wadhera and captain Shreyas Iyer with his probing lines. Wadhera nicked behind to Buttler, while Iyer chopped onto his stumps while attempting a guide to third man, leaving PBKS in complete disarray. Marco Jansen provided late resistance with a couple of powerful hits off Rashid Khan in the final over, pushing Punjab past the 160-run mark.
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