After batting first, Gujarat Titans (GT) posted 168 for 5 and at the halfway mark B Sai Sudharsan hesitated to call it enough for their bowlers. Their captain Shubman Gill, though, believed that his attack could turn it into a tricky chase for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder shared six wickets between them to dismiss SRH for 86 in 14.5 overs and go to the top of the IPL 2026 points table.
“Yes, we spoke about if we get anywhere close to 160-170, I think it won’t be easy for them – especially with our bowling attack, so that was the chat in the middle,” Gill said at the post-match presentation.
He credited his bowlers for landing the blows in the powerplay – SRH were 32 for 4 in the sixth over – after Washington Sundar and B Sai Sudharsan scored measured half-centuries.
“I think the way Sai and Washy batted, getting us close to 170 at one point, it looked difficult to reach there,” Gill said. “And also the way we bowled in the powerplay – we have been bowling pretty well in the powerplay – kudos to both of our bowlers.”
Washington took his time to get going, scoring just eight runs off his first nine balls. But he helped GT bash 74 runs off the last seven overs, during which he thumped six fours and a six.
“Definitely happy. I was just focusing on reading the situation,” Washington said. “And obviously, the wicket was quite different from other games. So I just wanted to sort of understand what shots can be played on this wicket, and be successful. And also it was important for one of the set batters to play till the end. It helps. The plan was to not think much. That was honestly the plan. But yes, thoughts do come every now and then.”
Washington unleashed some unorthodox shots as his innings progressed – in the 19th over, bowled by Eshan Malinga, there was the scoop for four off an attempted yorker over short fine leg, and a swipe off another missed yorker for six over deep square leg.
“Until the 17th or 18th over, I didn’t really want to go all out,” Washington said. “But, of course, in the last couple of overs, I tried to get as many boundaries as possible. Also sort of look to play the shots that would be possible on this wicket. But yeah, I mean, things went very well today.”
GT will next face Kolkata Knight Riders on May 16.
ESPNCricinfo
