Kamal Ghorui
Gujarat Titans produced a commanding all-round display to outclass Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, a result that took them to the top of the IPL 2026 points table and extended their winning streak to five matches. Asked to bat first on a two-paced surface, GT endured early pressure as SRH’s new-ball attack kept things tight and struck at regular intervals. Praful Hinge was the standout early performer, finishing with 3-0-17-2, as Gujarat were reduced to 34 for 2 inside the powerplay. Pat Cummins also maintained control with an economical spell of 4-0-20-1, ensuring the Tits never got a free flow at the top.
The innings, however, was rebuilt through patience and discipline. Sai Sudharsan once again showed his growing maturity under pressure, anchoring the innings with a composed 61 off 44 balls, striking five boundaries and two sixes. He absorbed the early blows and gradually shifted gears as the innings progressed, ensuring Gujarat stayed competitive on a tricky pitch. At the other end, Washington Sundar provided the much-needed acceleration in the middle and death overs. His fluent 50 off 33 deliveries, decorated with seven fours and a six, proved decisive in pushing GT towards a fighting total. The pair stitched together a crucial 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which became the backbone of the innings after early setbacks. There were also brief but important contributions around them. Shubman Gill (5) was dismissed after Heinrich Klaasen held a sharp catch off Nitish Kumar Reddy’s effort in the field, while Jos Buttler (7) fell attempting a scoop, edging behind to Ishan Kishan. Despite these setbacks, Sudharsan’s calm approach and Sundar’s clean hitting ensured GT reached 168 for 7, a total that looked competitive given the nature of the surface. In reply, SRH’s innings collapsed under relentless pressure from GT’s pace attack. Kagiso Rabada was the chief destroyer, finishing with 3 for 28 in a fiery spell that tore through the top order. He dismissed Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and R Smaran, all within a devastating powerplay burst that left SRH struggling at 32 for 4. Mohammed Siraj had earlier set the tone with a wicket-maiden first over, removing Travis Head for a duck after inducing a mistimed shot that was safely pouched at deep backward point. From there, SRH never recovered. Jason Holder then took over in the middle overs with an incisive spell of 3 for 20, removing Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy among others, exploiting extra bounce and movement off the pitch. Prasidh Krishna also chipped in with 2 for 23, maintaining the pressure from the other end. SRH’s resistance was minimal, with skipper Pat Cummins top-scoring with just 19 as wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 86 in 14.5 overs, marking a comprehensive batting and bowling failure.
