Table-toppers Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered their second successive defeat of the IPL 2026 season, losing to Gujarat Titans (GT) by four wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Sent in to bat, PBKS were reduced to 47/5 in the 9th over, but Suryansh Shedge (57 off 29) steadied the ship with a 79-run stand with Marcus Stoinis (40 off 31). However, once they departed, the visitors couldn't get the momentum going in the death overs and were restricted to 163/9 in 20 overs.
Jason Holder (4/24) was the standout bowler for GT, supported by Kagiso Rabada (2/22) and Mohammed Siraj (2/28).
During the run chase, Sai Sudharsan's 57 off 41 kept the Titans in command, but once he fell, PBKS bounced back into the game. The match went to the final over with GT needing three to win off two balls when Washington Sundar (40* off 23) smashed a six to seal the win.
Speaking after the game, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer cited poor execution and a tricky, variable-bounce pitch for the loss. He also highlighted his team's ability to fight back after a top-order collapse.
“I personally feel it was a great score on a wicket where the ball was doing a bit at the start, especially the new ball. Their bowlers made the best use of the surface - the way they were hitting the lengths and the deck. It was right at the stumps and not giving us much options to open our arms and score runs. We lost four wickets I assume in the powerplay. To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort,” Iyer said in the post-match interview.
“With the new ball I thought we would be able to hit our line and length and get early wickets. But that didn't work out. But the way we fought till the end, kudos to the efforts. The attitude and approach was excellent. We missed out on hitting the hard lengths. Hitting over midwicket or pull shot wasn't easy on this wicket because there was variable bounce. Wasn't an apt wicket to bat on. In terms of execution we fell a bit short. We're still on top of the table which is what matters. We'll take positives from this game,” he added.
Shreyas also said surfaces like this can help bowlers regain confidence in a tournament dominated by flat, batting-friendly wickets.
“It's a great challenge going forward in the IPL (playing on such pitches) because it tends to bring up the attitude of the bowlers as well. It can level up their confidence, especially after being hit for 50-60 odd runs in the previous game and then coming here and bowling excellent overs,” he remarked.
Despite the narrow loss, Iyer emphasized the team's top standing and looks forward to the next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to secure two points.
“Excited for the opportunity (playing against SRH), want to get that two points. Have been working very hard in training. The boys have been putting in hard yards. That's what matters - what you do off the field. If the character is high and attitude is right, you'll get results eventually. Just got to stick to our basics and routines and not think too much ahead,” he concluded.
