Shedge's 57 off 29 rescues Punjab but Sundar's 40 off 23 seals GT's four-wicket win with one ball to spare

Key facts

• Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by four wickets with one ball remaining in Ahmedabad on May 3.
• Suryansh Shedge scored 57 off 29 balls, his first IPL half-century, rescuing PBKS from 47/5.
• Washington Sundar hit an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls to guide GT to 167/6 in 19.5 overs.
• Jason Holder took 4 for 24, the best figures of his IPL career, for GT.
• Mohammed Siraj struck twice in the first over, finishing with 2 for 28.
• Sai Sudharsan anchored GT's chase with 57 off 41 balls.
• GT made one change: Nishant Sindhu debuted in place of Shahrukh Khan.
• PBKS made two changes: Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak returned.

A low-scoring thriller in Ahmedabad

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a classic low-scoring Indian Premier League thriller on Sunday, May 3, as the Gujarat Titans held their nerve to defeat the Punjab Kings by four wickets with one ball to spare. The Titans chased down a target of 164, finishing at 167 for 6 in 19.5 overs, after the Kings had posted 163 for 9. The match, the 45th of the IPL 2026 season, was a stark contrast to the high-scoring encounters that had preceded it. The pitch demanded patience and precise execution, rewarding bowlers who hit hard lengths and used pace-off deliveries effectively.

GT pacers wreak havoc early

After winning the toss, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill elected to bowl first. The decision paid immediate dividends as Mohammed Siraj struck twice in the first over, reducing Punjab Kings to 5 for 2. Kagiso Rabada then removed Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, leaving PBKS reeling at 47 for 5 inside nine overs. Jason Holder, the pick of the bowlers, finished with career-best figures of 4 for 24, exploiting the conditions with relentless accuracy. The Titans' pace attack, including Siraj (2 for 28) and Rabada (2 for 22), dismantled the top order, leaving Punjab's innings in tatters.

Shedge's rescue act and Stoinis partnership

From the brink of collapse at 47 for 5, Suryansh Shedge launched a remarkable counterattack. The 23-year-old smashed his first IPL half-century, scoring 57 off just 29 balls, including six boundaries and three sixes. He found an able partner in Marcus Stoinis, who contributed a measured 40 off 31 balls. The duo added 79 runs for the sixth wicket, reviving Punjab's innings. Marco Jansen then provided a late flourish with 20 off 11 balls, pushing the total to 163 for 9. Shedge's innings was the cornerstone of Punjab's recovery, turning a potential collapse into a competitive score.

Sudharsan anchors chase, Sundar finishes in style

Chasing 164, Gujarat Titans lost Shubman Gill early, but Sai Sudharsan held the innings together with a composed 57 off 41 balls. He rotated the strike effectively and absorbed pressure, ensuring the required rate never spiraled out of control. Jos Buttler contributed a steady 30 before falling to Arshdeep Singh. With 17 runs needed off the last two overs, Washington Sundar took charge. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 40 off 23 balls, striking crucial boundaries to guide GT home. Sundar's composure under pressure proved decisive, as the Titans reached the target with one ball to spare.

Tactical decisions and team changes

Gujarat Titans made a bold call by dropping misfiring Shahrukh Khan and handing a debut to Nishant Sindhu, the 2022 U19 World Cup-winning all-rounder. Sindhu's inclusion added depth to the batting and bowling, though he managed only 4 runs before being dismissed. Punjab Kings, the 2025 finalists, reverted to their winning combination by bringing back Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak. Bartlett went wicketless, but Vyshak claimed 2 for 31. Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler for PBKS, finishing with 2 for 24, while Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen took one wicket each.

Implications for the tournament

The victory lifted Gujarat Titans in the standings, while Punjab Kings suffered their second consecutive defeat. Despite the loss, PBKS showed resilience, nearly pulling off an improbable win after being outplayed for most of the match. Shreyas Iyer's side will take heart from Shedge's emergence and the fight shown by the lower order. For GT, the win highlighted both their bowling strength and the fragility of their middle order. The chase, though successful, exposed vulnerabilities that stronger opponents may exploit. The Titans will need to address these issues as the tournament progresses.

The bottom line

• Suryansh Shedge's 57 off 29 rescued PBKS from 47/5, marking his first IPL fifty.
• Jason Holder's 4 for 24 were the best figures of his IPL career.
• Washington Sundar's unbeaten 40 off 23 sealed GT's four-wicket win with one ball to spare.
• GT made one change: Nishant Sindhu debuted; PBKS brought back Bartlett and Vyshak.
• The low-scoring match contrasted with previous high-scoring games in the tournament.
• GT's middle-order struggles remain a concern despite the win.