Shedge's 57 and Holder's Four-Wicket Haul Define Low-Scoring Thriller as Gujarat Titans Beat Punjab Kings by Four Wickets

Key facts

• Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by 4 wickets with 1 ball to spare in Ahmedabad on May 3.
• Punjab Kings scored 163/9 in 20 overs; Gujarat Titans reached 167/6 in 19.5 overs.
• Jason Holder took 4 wickets for 24 runs, the best figures of his IPL career.
• Suryansh Shedge scored 57 off 29 balls, his first IPL half-century, after PBKS were 47/5.
• Sai Sudharsan top-scored for GT with 57 off 41 balls; Washington Sundar made 40* off 23.
• Mohammed Siraj took 2 wickets in the first over of PBKS innings.
• Arshdeep Singh was the pick of PBKS bowlers with 2/24.

A Low-Scoring Classic Unfolds in Ahmedabad

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a gripping low-scoring thriller on Sunday, May 3, as the Gujarat Titans edged past the Punjab Kings by four wickets with one ball to spare. Chasing 164, the Titans reached 167 for 6 in 19.5 overs, surviving a tense final over that kept the crowd on edge until the very end. For much of the match, Gujarat appeared in control. Their bowlers had ripped through Punjab's top order, reducing the visitors to 47 for 5 inside nine overs. Even in the chase, Sai Sudharsan's measured innings seemed to steer the Titans comfortably toward victory. But Punjab's late fight, led by Suryansh Shedge's explosive half-century, turned the contest into a nerve-wracking affair.

Punjab's Collapse and Shedge's Rescue Act

Punjab Kings' innings began disastrously. Mohammed Siraj struck twice in the first over, removing Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya. Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder continued the assault, and at 47 for 5, Punjab were staring at a total well below 140. Suryansh Shedge, however, launched a remarkable counterattack. Shedge smashed 57 off just 29 balls, his maiden IPL half-century, and forged a 79-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis, who contributed 40 off 31. Marco Jansen's late cameo of 20 off 11 balls pushed Punjab to a respectable 163 for 9. Holder finished with 4 for 24, the best figures of his IPL career, while Rabada took 2 for 22 and Siraj 2 for 28.

Sudharsan Anchors the Chase

Gujarat Titans' chase started with the loss of captain Shubman Gill early, but Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings. Sudharsan played a composed knock of 57 off 41 balls, rotating the strike and absorbing pressure as wickets fell at the other end. His partnership with Buttler and later with Washington Sundar kept the Titans on track. Sudharsan's departure in the 17th over brought a twist, but Sundar remained unbeaten on 40 off 23 balls, guiding his team home. The Titans lost wickets at regular intervals, including Nishant Sindhu on debut, but Sundar's calmness under pressure proved decisive.

Key Bowling Performances and Tactical Decisions

Gujarat's pace trio of Siraj, Rabada, and Holder exploited the Ahmedabad pitch perfectly, using hard lengths and pace-off deliveries to trouble the batsmen. Holder's four-wicket haul was the standout, but Siraj's early double strike set the tone. For Punjab, Arshdeep Singh was the most effective bowler, taking 2 for 24, while Vijaykumar Vyshak claimed 2 for 31. Tactically, Gujarat captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid off. The Titans dropped Shahrukh Khan and handed a debut to 2022 U19 World Cup winner Nishant Sindhu. Punjab made two changes, bringing in Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak, returning to the combination that reached the 2025 final.

Implications for Both Sides

The victory gave Gujarat Titans a much-needed win, but the nature of the chase exposed vulnerabilities in their middle order. Shubman Gill will reflect on a pursuit that should have been more comfortable, as the Titans struggled to close out the game despite being in control for long periods. For Punjab Kings, this was their second consecutive defeat, but there were positives. Shreyas Iyer's side showed remarkable fight after being reduced to 47 for 5, and Shedge's innings provided a glimpse of the depth in their batting. The loss, though painful, demonstrated that Punjab can compete even when their top order fails.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will take lessons from this contest. Gujarat will look to shore up their middle-order batting, while Punjab will aim to build on the fighting spirit shown by Shedge and Stoinis. The IPL 2026 season continues to deliver high drama, with low-scoring thrillers proving that the tournament's appeal lies not just in big hits but in tactical battles and nerve-wracking finishes. As the league stage progresses, every point matters. For Gujarat, this win keeps them in contention; for Punjab, the search for consistency continues.

The bottom line

• Gujarat Titans won a low-scoring thriller by 4 wickets with 1 ball to spare, chasing 164.
• Suryansh Shedge's 57 off 29 balls rescued Punjab from 47/5 to a competitive 163/9.
• Jason Holder's 4/24 were the best bowling figures of his IPL career.
• Sai Sudharsan's 57 anchored GT's chase, but Washington Sundar's 40* off 23 was decisive.
• Mohammed Siraj took 2 wickets in the first over, setting the tone for GT's bowling effort.
• Punjab's second straight defeat highlighted both their resilience and top-order fragility.