Punjab’s grip slips: Titans pull off last-ball escape against league leaders

AHMEDABAD: In a heart-stopping encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium today, the Gujarat Titans pulled off a heist against the table-topping Punjab Kings, chasing down a 164-run target with just one ball to spare. The victory marks a significant turnaround for the Titans, while handing Punjab their second consecutive defeat of the season. Despite the setback, the Kings maintain their iron grip on the top of the points table, though the race for the playoffs has intensified with Gujarat now joining a four-way tie for second place at 12 points.

The Titans’ chase was defined by calculated aggression and nerves of steel. Opening the innings, Sai Sudharsan played the role of the anchor to perfection, smashing 57 off 41 balls. While captain Shubman Gill fell early for just 5, and high-profile names like Jos Buttler (26) and Nishant Sindhu (15) couldn't convert their starts, the momentum never truly shifted away from the hosts. The defining moment of the afternoon came from Washington Sundar, who remained ice-cool under pressure to score an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls, guiding his side home in a frantic final over. For Punjab, Arshdeep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak were the standout performers with the ball, claiming two wickets each, but their efforts were ultimately thwarted by Sundar’s late-game heroics.

Earlier, the Punjab Kings struggled to find their rhythm after being put in to bat. The top order collapsed in a heap, reeling at 47 for 5 as Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and captain Shreyas Iyer failed to negotiate the Titans’ new-ball attack. A middle-order rescue mission was mounted by Suryansh Shedge and Marcus Stoinis, who combined for a blistering 79-run partnership off just 44 deliveries. Shedge’s explosive 57 off 29 balls allowed Punjab to post a competitive 163 for 9.

The Titans’ bowling unit, bolstered by the 2026 season's roster changes, was led by a clinical Jason Holder, who dismantled the Punjab lineup with a four-wicket haul. He was ably supported by the pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, both of whom claimed two wickets today, while Rashid Khan provided the necessary squeeze in the middle overs. In the end, it was a day where Gujarat’s depth proved superior, keeping their playoff hopes burning bright in front of a capacity home crowd.