Shedge's 57 Rescues Punjab But Holder Seals Gujarat's Four-Wicket Win

Key facts

• Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by 4 wickets in Ahmedabad on May 3.
• Punjab Kings posted 163/9 in 20 overs; Gujarat Titans reached 167/6 in 19.5 overs.
• Suryansh Shedge scored 57 off 29 balls for Punjab, rescuing them from 47/5.
• Sai Sudharsan anchored Gujarat's chase with 57 off 41 balls.
• Jason Holder took 4 wickets for Gujarat and was named Player of the Match.
• Mohammed Siraj struck twice in the first over for Gujarat.
• Gujarat captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field.
• Washington Sundar scored 40 off 23 balls to guide Gujarat home.

A Thriller in Ahmedabad

Gujarat Titans survived a final-over scare to defeat Punjab Kings by four wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, in a match that turned a modest target of 163 into a gripping contest. The victory, sealed with one ball to spare, kept Gujarat's campaign on track while Punjab slumped to a second consecutive defeat. The chase, which should have been straightforward, became tense as Gujarat's middle order faltered, allowing Punjab to claw back into the game. Washington Sundar's composed 40 off 23 balls ultimately steered the home side over the line, but not before the outcome hung in the balance until the penultimate delivery.

Shedge's Rescue Act Lifts Punjab

Punjab Kings' innings was on the verge of collapse at 47 for five inside nine overs, after Mohammed Siraj and Jason Holder ripped through the top order. Siraj struck twice in his first over, while Holder collected his third and fourth wickets to leave Punjab reeling. Suryansh Shedge then produced a stunning counterattack, scoring 57 off 29 balls to drag Punjab to 163 for nine. His innings, which featured clean striking against both pace and spin, gave Punjab a total that felt competitive after their dire start. Marco Jansen provided support at the other end as the pair added crucial runs in the death overs.

Sudharsan Anchors Gujarat's Chase

Gujarat's reply began with the early loss of captain Shubman Gill, but Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings with a mature 57 off 41 balls. He rotated the strike effectively and absorbed pressure, ensuring Gujarat stayed on track even as wickets fell at the other end. Jos Buttler partnered Sudharsan in a rebuilding phase, but after his departure, the chase became nervy. Sudharsan's dismissal left Gujarat needing 40 off the last five overs, and it was Washington Sundar who held his nerve to finish the job alongside Rahul Tewatia.

Holder's All-Round Impact Decides the Game

Jason Holder was the standout performer, claiming four wickets with his seam bowling and then contributing a vital cameo with the bat. His ability to extract bounce and movement from the Ahmedabad surface made him unplayable at times, and his wickets included the key scalp of Shreyas Iyer. Holder's all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award, as his efforts with the ball set up the victory and his late runs eased the pressure on the chase. The surface demanded patience and precision, and Holder adapted quicker than most.

Pitch and Conditions Favour the Bowlers

The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch offered assistance to seamers who bowled hard lengths and used pace-off variations effectively. Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada also exploited the conditions, making run-scoring difficult for Punjab's top order. Despite the total being modest, the surface kept both sides honest, requiring method and restraint. Clean striking was harder to achieve than the scorecard suggested, and the match remained in the balance until the final over due to the pitch's demands.

Punjab's Fightback Offers Hope Amid Defeat

Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, showed resilience after being outplayed for most of the match. Their late fightback, driven by Shedge and Jansen, nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, and the team will take pride in pushing Gujarat to the brink. However, the defeat leaves Punjab with questions about their top-order fragility and middle-order consistency. Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting have rebuilt the squad this season, but results have yet to reflect the optimism surrounding the partnership.

What Lies Ahead for Both Teams

Gujarat Titans will look to build on this win, though their middle-order struggles remain a concern. Shubman Gill will want a more clinical finish in future chases, but the team's bowling depth and composure under pressure are positives. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, must address their batting collapses and find ways to convert promising positions into victories. With the IPL 2026 season progressing, every match is critical, and Shreyas Iyer's side cannot afford to let close games slip away.

The bottom line

• Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by 4 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
• Suryansh Shedge's 57 off 29 rescued Punjab from 47/5 to post 163/9.
• Sai Sudharsan scored 57 off 41 to anchor Gujarat's chase.
• Jason Holder took 4 wickets and was named Player of the Match.
• Washington Sundar's 40 off 23 guided Gujarat home with one ball to spare.
• Punjab suffered a second straight defeat despite a late fightback.