In what can only be described as a clinical masterclass, Gujarat Titans turned a seemingly competitive total into a one-sided demolition, handing Sunrisers Hyderabad an 82-run thrashing at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Batting first after winning the toss, GT were put under early pressure when skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler departed cheaply. At 64 for 3, the innings was wobbling. Enter Sai Sudharsan. The elegant left-hander played with supreme composure, anchoring the recovery with a measured 61 off 44 balls. He found the perfect ally in Washington Sundar, whose explosive 50 off just 33 deliveries injected much-needed momentum.
The middle-order duo added 104 crucial runs, steadying the ship before Jason Holder and Rahul Tewatia provided the late flourish. When the innings closed at 168 for 5, the total looked defendable on a tricky surface — but few could have predicted the carnage that followed.
What unfolded in the second innings was nothing short of a collapse. Mohammed Siraj struck first, removing dangerous opener Travis Head in the power play. Then Kagiso Rabada took centre stage. The South African pace sensation produced a fiery burst that ripped through SRH’s top order, leaving the visitors reeling at 32 for 4 inside six overs. Hyderabad never recovered. Rabada finished with a match-defining 3 for 28, while Jason Holder complemented him perfectly with a disciplined 3 for 20, dismantling the middle order with accuracy and variations.
Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets, and Rashid Khan returned to close the show in style. Sunrisers Hyderabad were bundled out for a paltry 86 in just 14.5 overs — their lowest total in IPL history. No batsman could anchor the chase. Even Heinrich Klaasen and Pat Cummins showed brief resistance, but it was far too little, far too late. The last seven wickets tumbled for just 54 runs.
Speaking after the match, GT captain Shubman Gill credited his bowlers for the clinical execution:
It worked out really well for us on a tricky wicket and the plan was to aim for something around 160 to 170, trusting our bowling attack to defend it. The way we bowled in the powerplay set the tone and gave us control of the game early on. Having experienced bowlers makes a huge difference because delivering four overs in humid conditions is not easy.
Player of the Match Kagiso Rabada, who was electric with the new ball, added:
I did not judge the catch properly and it would have been nice to get one more wicket, but my focus is always on doing my best for the team every season. Rhythm is everything for a fast bowler… Credit to them as well because they showed how to bowl on this wicket, and we managed to execute it even better.
With this victory, Gujarat Titans have extended their winning streak and climbed to the top of the 2026 IPL points table. The contrast was stark: while SRH looked lost on a surface that demanded patience, GT adapted brilliantly, built partnerships when it mattered, and then unleashed a ruthless bowling attack.
Ahmedabad has once again proven to be Gujarat’s fortress — and on this night, it became the graveyard for Hyderabad’s playoff hopes.
