Gujarat Titans (GT) secured the top spot in the IPL 2026 points table with a dominant 82-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Tuesday (May 12) at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.
Following fifties from Sai Sudharsan (61) and Washington Sundar (50) that set a 169-run target, Kagiso Rabada (3/28) and Jason Holder (3/20) dismantled SRH for just 86 runs in 14.5 overs.
Speaking during the post-match skipper, GT skipper Shubman Gill expressed satisfaction with his team's clinical performance.
Gill noted the pitch was tricky and that 160-170 was a winning total, justifying the batting-first strategy. He highlighted Sudharsan and Sundar for their batting efforts and praised the bowlers for their work in the powerplay.
“(This was a very different sort of a victory?) Definitely, like you spoke at the toss. Teams batting first have done well, and it worked out for us pretty nicely. But I think we bowled very well. 170 on this kind of a wicket, we always knew it's going to be tricky. If we bowl well, we'll always be in the game,” Gill said.
“(Was there a sort of a target in mind?) Yes, sir. We spoke about, if we get anywhere close to 160-170, I think it's gonna be.. It won't be easy for them, especially with our bowling attack. So that was the chat in the middle. (I think the plans have worked perfectly fine?) Yeah, definitely. But also, I think the way Sai (Sudharsan) and Washi (Sundar) batted, getting us close to 170 at one point, it looked difficult to reach there. And also, the way we bowled in the powerplay, we have been bowling pretty well in the powerplay. So, kudos to both of our bowlers,” he added.
As the Titans top the table, Gill emphasized consistency and being "ruthless," while focusing on assessing conditions rather than sticking to one style of play.
“(Coming to the top of the table, what do you think will the outlook be?) Honestly, it's all about, still being consistent, still trying to be as ruthless as we can. And, you know, we play the kind of cricket, we are not the kind of a team that play a particular style or brand of cricket. We want to be the team that sees the wicket, assesses the condition. If it's a batting first, 240 wicket, go for it. But it's also important to assess that the wicket is not that easy to get those 170-180 runs that's better than getting 140-150,” he remarked.
Gill hailed "experienced campaigner" Holder for hitting the right lengths and bowling well, even in challenging conditions.
“(Addition of Holder to the attack adds value?) Yeah, definitely. He's such an experienced campaigner and the kind of length he's been hitting and he's been very relentless for us, bowling almost in every game, four overs on the trot. Not easy in this weather, but he's doing a terrific job for us,” he concluded.
