Washington Sundar's six seals Gujarat Titans' fourth-wicket win over Punjab Kings

Key facts

• Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by four wickets in Match 46 of TATA IPL 2026.
• Jason Holder was named Player of the Match for his 4 for 24 from four overs.
• Suryansh Shedge scored his maiden IPL fifty, 57 off 29 balls.
• Sai Sudharsan anchored GT's chase with 57 off 41 deliveries.
• Washington Sundar smashed a rapid 40 off 23 balls, including a winning six.
• Punjab Kings remain top of the table despite a second straight defeat.

Titans triumph in tense chase

Gujarat Titans secured a crucial four-wicket victory over table-topping Punjab Kings in a low-scoring thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Chasing 164 for victory, the Titans reached 167 for 6 with one ball to spare, thanks to a composed cameo from Washington Sundar. The win marked Gujarat's third consecutive victory, propelling them further into playoff contention. For Punjab, it was a second straight defeat, yet they remain atop the IPL 2026 standings.

Siraj and Rabada dismantle PBKS top order

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first, but his decision backfired spectacularly. Mohammed Siraj struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly for a golden duck, leaving the Kings reeling at 2 for 2. Kagiso Rabada then bowled a maiden-wicket over, removing Prabhsimran Singh (15 off 14) with a delivery clocked at over 152 kmph. Jason Holder exploited the conditions further, reducing Punjab to 47 for 5 by the middle overs.

Shedge's maiden fifty rescues Punjab

From the depths of 47 for 5, young Suryansh Shedge launched a remarkable counter-attack, smashing his maiden IPL fifty in just 29 balls. He scored 57 off 29 deliveries, supported by Marcus Stoinis who anchored the innings with a crucial 40 off 31 balls. A late 20-run cameo from Marco Jansen helped Punjab reach a fighting total of 163 for 9 in their 20 overs. Iyer later praised the middle-order effort, calling it a phenomenal recovery.

Sudharsan and Sundar steer chase

Chasing 164, Gujarat lost captain Shubman Gill early for just 5 runs. Sai Sudharsan then stabilized the innings with a steady 57 off 41 balls, rotating the strike and punishing bad deliveries. He built a 53-run partnership with Jos Buttler (26 off 22) to keep the chase on track. Punjab's bowlers fought back through Arshdeep Singh (2 for 24) and Vijaykumar Vyshak (2 for 31), but Washington Sundar's calculated aggression turned the tide. The all-rounder scored 40 off 23 balls, hitting five fours and a six, and sealed the win with a six over deep fine leg off Stoinis.

Holder's all-round impact earns Player of the Match

Jason Holder was awarded Player of the Match for his figures of 4 for 24 from four overs. He credited the opening bowlers Siraj and Rabada for making his job easier in the middle overs. Holder expressed disappointment at not finishing off the previous games but felt his overall form has been strong. He also noted that while he has played mostly T20 cricket over the past year and a half, he still hopes to return to Test cricket.

Captains reflect on contrasting fortunes

Gujarat captain Shubman Gill said his team is peaking at the right time but admitted they would prefer not to take chases so deep. He praised Washington Sundar for getting the job done and noted that the pitch made length balls difficult to hit. Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer defended his team's effort, saying 163 was a good score on that surface. He lamented the early wickets and acknowledged that their execution with the new ball fell short. Despite the loss, he emphasized that Punjab remain top of the table and will take positives into their next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Playoff race intensifies as Titans eye upward climb

Gujarat's third straight win, including victories over top-two teams Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, signals a strong late-season surge. They now have a short break before facing Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Saturday, 9th May. Punjab Kings, still leading the table, travel to Hyderabad to face Sunrisers on Wednesday, 6th May. With the playoffs approaching, every match carries heightened stakes, and both teams will look to build on the lessons from this contest.

The bottom line

• Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by four wickets in a low-scoring thriller, their third consecutive win.
• Jason Holder's 4 for 24 and Washington Sundar's 40 off 23 balls were decisive.
• Suryansh Shedge scored a maiden IPL fifty (57 off 29) to rescue Punjab from 47 for 5.
• Punjab remain top of the table despite a second straight defeat.
• Gujarat's chase was anchored by Sai Sudharsan's 57 off 41, with support from Buttler and Sundar.
• Both teams have crucial upcoming fixtures: Punjab face SRH, Gujarat travel to face RR.