Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings, IPL, 2026 May 3 Full score card

SIX! Sundar stays calm under pressure and hits the winning runs! Stoinis tries the yorker once more but lobs up a juicy full toss on the stumps. Washington gets inside the line and drops to one knee and whips it over the deep fine leg fence for a six. Relieved faces in the GT camp as this is an important victory for them, having beaten the table toppers. GT BEAT PBKS BY 4 WICKETS!

Well bowled! Good execution from Stoinis. Pinpoint yorker at the stumps from Marcus, Arshad Khan loses his balance to flick it away to the leg side, and inside edges on the boot. The ball rolls in front of the bowler and the batters decide to charge through for a single. Stoinis rushes forward, collects the ball and releases the throw to the bowling end, but misses his shy and Khan gets home with the dive.

Play and a miss! Short ball, banged into the surface, angling across from off stump. Arshad swings hard, looking to slice it over point, but is beaten on the outside edge by a fair bit.

Just short! But an excellent piece of fielding by Suryansh in the deep! Pitched outside leg, on a fuller length. Arshad Khan again gets a good piece of wood on it. He flicks it aerially to the left of deep square leg. Suryansh Shedge runs and dives to his left, and half stops it on the bounce, parrying the ball away from him. Gets up and recovers very quickly. The batters cross over for the second run. Stoinis, by his expressions, wanted the fielder to be a bit finer than he was.

A long conference between Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis regarding the field setting.

FOUR! Gets it away! Stoinis aims the toes and nails the yorker in, on the leg stump line. Arshad Khan gets the front foot across, his head falls over, but he jams it out. Gets it more off the inner half to the long leg fence for a boundary. GT need 6 runs from 5 balls now.

WIDE! Reload! Way, way too short into the pitch, takes pace off on middle. Arshad Khan lets it fly over his head. Wide called.

Right, time for the final over. Not quite sure how it has come down to this, but who's complaining? Punjab's frontline quicks have bowled out. Marcus Stoinis has been trusted to bowl the final over. The Titans need 11 runs from 6 balls.

Excellent penultimate over from Arshdeep Singh. Just what you expect from your best bowler. Back of a length, wide outside off, Arshad Khan stands tall and swats it on the bounce to long on for a single. 4-0-24-2 for Arshdeep Singh. Gujarat Titans need 11 runs from 6 balls.

The Punjab Kings continue to fight. Arshad Khan walks out to the middle. Rashid Khan was also an option, but GT are trusting Arshad to do the job.

OUT! SUPERB CATCH! Great pair of hands from Cooper Connolly and this game is far from being over. Good length, angling from middle to off. Jason Holder clears the front leg to heave it over the deep mid-wicket fence, but hits it off the inner half and hence, does not get the distance. Cooper Connolly charges to his left from deep mid-wicket, watches the ball like a hawk and takes a good diving catch. The big man cannot get the job done for his team. GT still need 12 from 7 balls.

Still a single! Length ball, on off, skidding through. Sundar is rushed on the back foot and pulls it off the toe end to long on for only a run.

On a back of a length, closer to the body. Holder dabs it late and wide of backward point for a single. 13 needed off 9 balls.

Had to really hurry there! From around the wicket, this is on a length, on off. Jason walks across and tucks it with soft hands into the mid-wicket region, and the call is for two straight away. Cooper Connolly from deep mid-wicket charges in off the ropes, picks the ball and throws it on the bounce to the keeper with Holder sprinting to complete the second run. Prabhsimran Singh collects the ball and whips the bails off, but Holder is in by then.

On a good length, just outside off, Sundar punches it on the rise to long off for a single.

Arshdeep Singh (3-0-18-1) to bowl the penultimate over. How much can he leave for the final over?

Some elegant drives from Holder this over, but he does not get much. Pitched up, full on off, Jason plays the straight drive, but Bartlett stops it to his left on the follow-through. GT need 17 runs from 12 balls.

Much fuller than the previous ball, outside off, Holder leans across and presents the full face of the bat, driving it to cover. The fielder swiftly moves to his left and stops it.

Back of a length, around off, Jason drives on the up again, but finds the mid off fielder this time.

Not too full and not too short either, outside off. Jason Holder leans forward and drives it crisply to the left of the cover fielder. Suryansh Shedge sprints to his right from deep point and cuts it off. Two taken. That was timed really well by Holder.

A rib-tickler from Bartlett, short on leg. Sundar gets inside the line and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Oh, that's hit right into the gap! Short of a good length over middle. Washington Sundar rises with the bounce, plays the pull shot along the ground and bisects the deep mid-wicket and long on fielders for a boundary.

Jason Holder walks in next.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Jansen keeps PBKS very much alive. Rahul cannot quite believe it. Marco hits the hard length, keeping the line of attack around middle and off. Rahul Tewatia crouches a bit and tries to pull it over the deep square leg fielder, but ends up hitting it flat and straight into the safe hands of Xavier Bartlett stationed in the deep. Xavier does not have to move much and takes a watchful catch. The Titans are 140/5, needing 24 runs from 18 balls.

Back of a length, this is clipped into the deep square leg region for a single.

Overpitched delivery, on middle. Sundar flicks it to the left of deep mid-wicket and they hurry for the second run. Priyansh Arya gets across and throws it to the bowler, which forces Tewatia to dive to get back home. He does so before Jansen collects and breaks the stumps.

FOUR! Vijaykumar Vyshak's effort goes in vain. On a back of a length, on off. Washington Sundar walks inside the line and gets low to get under the ball. He plays the scoop and gets just enough bat on it to clear Vijaykumar at short fine leg. Vyshak goes after it and puts in a dive. He pulls it back but the ball threatens to trickle into the ropes. He tries to push it away again but at that moment, he was in contact with the ropes, and it has been given as a boundary.

Clean effort? Nope, Vijaykumar Vyshak was in contact with the boundary cushions when he pushed the ball away.

FOUR! Off the edge! GT get closer and closer. Back of a length, nipping in from around off. Washington Sundar tries to hoick across the line but misreads the line and gets a leading edge and the ball goes to the left of the keeper, racing to the fence behind.

Bashed on a length, angling on the leg stump. Rahul Tewatia presses forward and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Marco Jansen (3-0-21-0) is back, with the Titans needing 36 runs from 24 balls.

Slower short ball, angled across the batter. Sundar gets way across to play the pull shot, only to miss.

Spears it full and on the pads, pitching seemingly outside leg. Tewatia tries to play the pick-up shot, but misses, and the ball lobs off the front pad and drops in the short fine leg region. A slight appeal for LBW, but not given. They get a leg bye.

Good length, on top of middle. Rahul plays it very late and chops it from the crease to short third. Tewatia is keen to pinch in a single and charges forward but is sent back in time by Sundar.

Full and outside off, Sundar looks to drive it away, but gets a thick inside edge and the ball rolls through wide mid-wicket for a single.

Short on the leg stump. Rahul pulls it behind to deep fine leg for a single.

Hard length, around off, punched off the back foot to the mid off region for a single.

5 overs to go. GT need 40 runs from those. Xavier Bartlett is back on. 2-0-28-0 so far, and he replaces Yuzvendra Chahal.

Goes past the bat! Nipping away off a good length. Rahul Tewatia is beaten on the block as the ball leaves him. Prabhsimran Singh fails to gather it cleanly and the ball pops out of his grasp and rolls to his right.

Big blow for the Titans as they lose the in-form Sai Sudharsan. It is now a big test for their middle and lower middle order to get the job done. GT use their impact sub. Rahul Tewatia is in at number 6, while Mohammed Siraj is subbed out.

Mohammed Siraj is substituted by Rahul Tewatia

OUT! CAUGHT! Sai Sudharsan holes out. He throws his head back in disappointment at not finishing the game himself. A well-directed short ball by Vyshak, around the left shoulder, Sudharsan pivots on the back foot for the pull but is rushed and he can't get the desired power on the shot. Xavier Bartlett hangs back on the ropes at deep mid-wicket. Bartlett gets his hands high and times the jump to perfection to take the catch over his head.

Lands it on a hard length, on off. Sai hops to get on top of the bounce and he cuts it late to beat backward point to his left. Suryansh Shedge sprints to his right in the deep and gets rid of the ball quickly but can't prevent the batters from coming back for the second run.

The length is pulled back now, on off, Sundar pats it in front of mid off and hurries to the other end.

FOUR! Up and over! Fuller and wider on off. Washington Sundar is allowed to free his arms and he launches it over wide mid off. He does not quite get hold of it but manages to clear the in-field and pick up a boundary.

Across off, on a back of a length, that is punched off the back foot wide of cover for a single.

Gujarat Titans need 48 runs from 36 balls. And Vijaykumar Vyshak (3-0-23-1) is back into the attack, replacing Arshdeep Singh.

Serves the googly, shorter and on off. Sudharsan wrists it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Put away, and that brings up the FIFTY for Sai Sudharsan. Full and down leg by Chahal, Sudharsan brings out the broom and he plays it all along the ground. Hits it fine of the man at deep backward square leg and picks up a boundary. 3rd fifty-plus score in the last 4 innings for Sai.

On the pads, and the length stays short, Sundar clips it through square leg and crosses over.

Shorter and on middle. Sudharsan whips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Gets it through! Very full, attempted googly by Chahal, on leg. Sai Sudharsan sinks to a knee for the sweep. Gets an under edge on it and the ball goes wide of short fine leg. Arshdeep Singh moves to his left and puts in a dive but the ball goes past him and trickles into the fence.

A bit of turn into the pads, slightly short on leg. Sudharsan presses back and plays it with soft hands in front of deep mid-wicket. He takes the first one hard and comes charging back for the second.

STRATEGIC BREAK! This game is nicely hanging in balance right now as the Punjab Kings have done really well to pull things back in this middle phase. And that too, despite Yuzvendra Chahal not having bowled a single over yet. Shreyas has trusted his pacers as there is a fair bit of nip and bounce and it's not been easy to go aggressive for the new batters. Gujarat Titans need 61 runs from 42 balls and they will bank their hopes on Sai Sudharsan to get the job done. But he will need solid support from the middle order. The Kings know that a couple of more wickets here will really tighten things further. And finally, Yuzvendra Chahal is introduced into the attack.

Fuller and angled into the pads. Sundar brings his wrists into play and works it wide of deep square leg. Xavier Bartlett mops it up by moving to his right in the deep. Two runs taken.

Pushes the length up now, on off. Washington stays leg side of the ball and plays a punchy drive but he can't get it past the cover fielder.

Over off, on the shorter side. Sundar rides the bounce and taps it to the man at a catching cover.

In the channel on off, on a good length. Washington angles it straight to backward point with an open bat face.

At 132.1 kph, slanting in on middle and leg, on a short of a length. Sudharsan works it off the pads to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.

Arshdeep rolls his fingers over the ball and delivers it on a back of a length, on off. Washington punches it to long on for a single. 100 UP FOR THE TITANS!

Around leg, on a back of a length. Washington nurdles it off the hips in front of square on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Sundar is up and running! Pace off and going across the left-hander. Sundar hops and is airborne while playing the shot. He frees his arms and slaps it over backward point for a boundary to get going.

Full and on middle, flicked to mid-wicket.

Stoinis strikes at a very crucial time for the Kings. Washington Sundar is in at number 5.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Not the best of balls, but Marcus Stoinis won't mind it one bit. Dug in a bit too short and wide on off. Sindhu hops to flay it away but fails to get hold of it. Ends up slicing it off the lower half of the blade towards deep third. He gets the height but not the distance. Vijaykumar Vyshak moves to his left in the deep and takes a good running catch around his knee.

Sudharsan backs away and Stoinis follows him with a short ball. Sai gets his hands high and pulls it firmly behind square leg. Arshdeep Singh is quick across the turf to his right and slides to parry it towards the converging Suryansh Shedge. Just a single.

On any other day, that would have crashed back into the stumps. Just outside the off stump, on a good length. Sindhu gets the front leg out of the way and looks to thrash it through the off side. Gets an inside edge onto the back leg and he is called through for a single by Sai as the ball drops beside him.

That will ease a lot of pressure for GT. They manage to squeeze out a big over after a long time. Marcus Stoinis is back on.

FOUR! Flayed away! Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Sudharsan stands tall on his toes and slaps it over backward point to pick up a boundary. A much-needed over for GT. 14 runs off it. 72 needed off 54 balls.

Flirting with the tramline, on a good length. Sai hangs low and flashes but misses.

Back to over the wicket, on a good length, on off. Sindhu punches it on the up in front of mid off and pinches a quick single.

SIX! Sindhu goes big! Vyshak bangs it in short, on middle and leg. Nishant is quick to pick up the length and he swivels to pull it over square leg for a biggie. A boundary after 27 balls for GT.

From around the wicket for Sindhu, this is on a length, on off. Nishant swings at it. The bat turns in his hand and he miscues it off the inner half past mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Full and wide on off. Sai drives it to deep cover for a single.

Halfway through! After finishing the Powerplay at 58/1, GT have scored just 20 runs in the next 4 overs and also lost Jos Buttler. The last boundary came in the 6th over.

Much fuller on off, Sai opens the bat face and dabs it to the right of short third for a quick single. At halfway, GT are 78/2.

Straight up but lands safely! A well-directed short ball, on off and it keeps climbing. Nishant Sindhu is taken by surprise and gets in two minds whether to sway away or pull, and keeps his bat hanging up. The ball goes off the toe end and flies over to the deep fine leg region, landing safely in the deep. Arshdeep Singh collects the ball to his left on several bounces. They cross.

Keeps it on the stumps, a touch fuller at 133.4 kph, Nishant watchfully blocks it back to the bowler.

In-between length, just outside off. Sindhu hangs back and crisply punches it through the cover-point gap. Vijaykumar Vyshak runs and dives to his left from deep backward point and cuts it off in the outfield. Two taken.

Good length, outside off, Sudharsan uses the pace to guide it to deep third for a run.

On a length, on middle and leg, flicked off the pads to short mid-wicket.

Back of a length, on the leg stump. Sai stays back and guides it to short fine leg for a single.

Hard length, in the channel of off. Sindhu fends it into the ground and picks up a single to the point region.

Nips in a long way from outside off, on a length. Nishant hangs back and stabs it to cover.

Fuller one, on off, Sai cracks the drive to pierce the cover gap, but the fielder dives to his left and parries the ball to mid off. One taken.

First run for Nishant in IPL. Fuller in length, angled away outside off. Sindhu drives it to deep cover to get a single.

Nishant Sindhu walks out to bat on his IPL debut.

OUT! CAUGHT! A massive wicket for PBKS. Iyer is charged up, and so is Vyshak, who fishes out Buttler. Vijaykumar hits the hard length, around the top of off, Jos Buttler backs away a bit to create room, trying to lift it over the cover region, but the ball holds on slightly and arrives a fraction later than the Englishman expected. He shimmies down the track a bit but hits it off the toe end. It balloons over extra cover, where Shreyas Iyer moves to his left and takes the catch. Buttler knew it straight away. Gujarat Titans are 69/2, needing 95 more runs.

Back-to-back overs for the Punjab Kings without conceding a boundary. Still, the required run rate is under 8 for the Gujarat Titans with them needing 95 runs off 72 balls.

Spotting Buttler shuffling outside leg, Stoinis bashes the length hard and follows the batter to cramp him for room. Jos tries to hit it to the off side, but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls through mid-wicket for a single. Just 5 singles off the over.

Onto the pads, Sai flicks the full ball through backward square leg for another single.

Fuller in length, on middle and leg, eased down to long on for an easy run.

Good length, just outside off, Sai presses back and cuts it to backward point. Priyansh Arya dives to his left and makes a half stop, but the ball stays in his vicinity. A single taken. It brings up the 50-run stand between this pair.

In front of the stumps, full in length now. Buttler flicks it to long on for a single

At a gentle pace, on a length, Jos blocks it off the back foot.

Marcus Stoinis has been called into the attack.

PBKS burn a review! Gets the ball to cut back into the batter, full in length on the leg stump line. Buttler gets a bit across to flick, but misses as the ball passes very close to the inside edge before being hit on the front pad. It deflects to the leg side. They cross for a leg bye. Vyshak looks very interested and appeals for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. He convinces Iyer to take the review. UltraEdge comes up and shows a flat line, but the Ball Tracking projects the ball to miss the leg stump. Punjab have lost both their reviews.

Review time. LBW not given on-field, and the Punjab Kings have taken the review. No bat, but this looks to be sliding down leg. Yep, it is indeed going past the leg pole, confirmed by the Ball Tracking.

Back of a length, outside off, Sai scythes it away to deep point for a single.

Jags back in sharply with extra bounce, on middle. Jos is cramped for space and plays all over it, getting a thin inside edge on the back thigh. The ball rolls away to the point region and they scamper through for one.

Sharp short ball on leg, Sai Sudharsan hangs back and pulls it along the ground to the right of deep square leg for a single.

At 131.1 kph, on a length, nipping away slightly on off. Jos lets the ball arrive and dabs it through short third for an easy single.

Pitched slightly outside leg, on a good length. Sai plays off the back foot and steers it to deep backward square leg for a run.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A bright start for the Gujarat Titans in pursuit of a middling total. Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have been watchful but quick to pounce on anything loose. Punjab Kings managed just the one wicket of Shubman Gill in the Powerplay and could not keep the scoring in check. They will know that GT's middle order has shown signs of fragility, and breaking this stand could open things up for them. No spin just yet. It will be Vijaykumar Vyshak to bowl after the break.

Fuller and around off, Sai glides it through short third for a run. 9 runs from the over. GT end their Powerplay with 58/1 on the board.

SIX! Gets hold of that one! That's gone deep into the stands. Short from Jansen, angled into the bodyline. Sai Sudharsan picks the length nicely, pivots on the back foot before nailing the pull shot behind deep fine leg for a six.

Nips in a touch, on a length, on off. Sai Sudharsan is taken aback but manages to bunt it down the pitch.

An absolute peach from Jansen! Pitched on a fractionally fuller length, straightening off the surface, on off. Sai Sudharsan tries to work it away, but plays down the wrong line and it whistles past the outside edge.

Sharp short delivery, slanted on the leg stump line. Sai Sudharsan gets a bit inside the line and tries to pull, but misses. Called a wide.

This one jags back in from a length, on middle. Jos Buttler hops on the toes and nudges it to backward square leg for a single. 50 UP FOR GUJARAT TITANS. They need 114 more runs.

Beaten! Fuller one, on the leg stump line. Jos Buttler shuffles far across the stumps to play the scoop shot but misses to connect.

Switch of ends for Marco Jansen. He replaces Arshdeep Singh and will bowl the last over of the Powerplay.

Strangled down leg? Xavier Bartlett is the only one to appeal. No reaction from Prabhsimran Singh behind the sticks. Punjab do not go for the review. Down leg on a back of a length, Sudharsan looks to glance it fine but misses. Wide not given by the umpire, so it might have brushed the thigh on the way to the keeper.

Into the surface, over middle. Buttler hops to deal with it. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and the ball goes away on the off side. They cross.

FOUR! Lovely shot! A bit wide, on a short of a length. Buttler lets the ball come to him and punches it neatly through the vacant point region. The man in the deep runs to his right but can't cut it off.

FIVE WIDES! That has beaten everyone! Bowled with an upright seam and it tails back into the right-hander but it starts too straight and keeps drifting down leg. Buttler misses out on the glance. Prabhsimran Singh flings himself to his left, but the ball evades him.

Nearly sneaked through! Seam-up ball, full and straight, attacking the sticks. Buttler tries to repeat the dose and play the scoop again. The ball is a bit too full for the shot and he toe-ends it to mid-wicket.

SIX! A Jos Buttler special. Bartlett hits the back of a length, around off. Buttler shuffles across the stumps and watches the ball all the way onto the bat. He uses the pace of the bowler and plays the scoop over the deep fine leg fence for a six.

Not much help through the air for Xavier Bartlett. This is on a good length, on off and middle. Buttler works it to mid-wicket.

GT need 131 runs in 96 balls. Xavier Bartlett (1-0-12-0) returns into the attack, replacing Marco Jansen.

In and around the off pole, on the shorter side. Sai stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it square on the off side. Priyansh Arya moves to his left in the deep and cuts it off. A couple of runs for Sudharsan.

Attacking the front pad with a good-length delivery. Sai turns it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Nicely done! Arshdeep hurls it on a hard length, over off. The ball climbs onto Sudharsan, who gets on his toes and gets under the ball to glide it with an open bat face over the man at short third. One bounce and over the ropes.

Angled away, on a short of a good length. Buttler gets on top of the bounce and knocks it to the right of cover for a single.

Hits the back of a length, on off. Sudharsan pats it in front of mid on and hurries to the other end.

Oh, that kept a bit low. At 131.4 kph, on a good length, outside off. Sai rises on his toes to force it away on the off side, but it goes under the blade. Prabhsimran Singh gathers it on the bounce.

Corrects his length by pulling it back, on off. Jos stays back and defends it out.

SIX! Effortless hit! Fuller this time by Jansen, on off, Buttler keeps a still head and lets his hands flow into the shot. He swings through the line and tonks it over mid off for a biggie.

Rapped on the pads! A confident shout from Marco Jansen, but it is turned down. Height seems to be an issue but Shreyas Iyer takes the review. From around the wicket to the right-hander, on a nagging length, on middle. Buttler is rooted to the crease and presents a straight bat for the block. The ball goes past the inside edge and catches Jos on the flap of the front pad. No bat involved on the UltraEdge. The Ball Tracking has the ball going over the leg stump. PBKS lose their review.

Fractionally short and equally wide, fast hands from Sai as he cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Lands it on a good length and keeps the line on the off pole. Sudharsan covers the line and stabs it beside the strip on the leg side.

Angled in on the off stump, full in length. Sai brings his bat out in front and blocks it off watchfully.

Marco Jansen is into the attack now, replacing Xavier Bartlett.

Sticks to that back of a length, on off, Jos gets on top of the bounce and punches it to point.

Drags the length back and pushes it across off, Jos shoulders arms.

Swinging back into the pads, on the fuller side. Buttler glances it off the pads to the right of the man at deep fine leg. Jos is underway with a brace.

Arshdeep gets the big fish. Jos Buttler is in at number 3.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND TAKEN! Arshdeep is off on a celebratory run. He goes full now, seam-up ball, leaving the right-hander with the angle. Gill plants his front foot towards the pitch of the ball but swings across the line of the ball. It is skied off a leading edge towards point. Cooper Connolly moves across to his left, settles under it and takes a safe catch close to his chest. GT lose their skipper early. The Titans are now 16/1 in pursuit of 164.

FOUR! Put away! Arshdeep goes short but this sits up to be hit, at waist height. Gill picks up the length early and plays the short-arm jab through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good effort! Serves it on a length, slanting across. Gill leans into the drive but can't beat Marcus Stoinis at a catching cover. Stoinis dives to his left and parries it towards Cooper Connolly.

A productive first over for GT. Arshdeep Singh to bowl from the opposite end.

Edgy! Honing in on the off stump, on a length. Gill shapes up to work it away on the leg side with a closed bat face. The ball straightens off the deck to catch a leading edge. It is in the air for a brief moment but it goes through the vacant backward point area. Single taken and Shubman is off the mark.

Pushes the length up now, on off. Sai dabs it with an angled bat face behind point and crosses over.

Short and wide on off, Sai frees his arms and slaps it all along the ground through the point region. Suryansh Shedge sprints to his left in the deep and tidies up with a slide. Another couple of runs for Sudharsan.

Running across again, on a good length. Sai hangs back and uses the angle to steer it to the right of deep third for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Majestic from the southpaw! Going across the left-hander, on a length. Sai presses onto the front foot and plays a punchy drive between cover and extra cover for the first boundary of the chase.

Sudharsan and the Titans are on the board. Shaping back into the pads, on a length. Sai's head falls over a bit towards the off side but manages to flick it wide of mid-wicket. Vijaykumar Vyshak goes after it and slides, but the ball pops out of his grasp, allowing the batters to take the second run.

Pushed through, on a length, on middle. Arshdeep Singh shuffles a long way across and pulls it to short fine leg and they scamper through. Just a single off the last ball. But 14 runs come off it. PUNJAB KINGS FINISH AT 163/9.

The next batter is Arshdeep Singh.

OUT! HIT HARD AND CAUGHT! Rashid wins the duel against Jansen, but the towering South African has played a good hand. Short and wide outside off. Jansen reaches out and flat bats it hard but finds short extra cover. Gill moves a couple of steps to his right, dives and takes a fine low catch, just inches off the ground. Punjab Kings are 162/9, 1 ball left.

WIDE! Miles outside off, on a good length. Jansen opts to leave. It goes outside the tramline and is called a wide.

FOUR! Off the inside edge and it shows how cruel this game can be. Dishes out a googly on a fuller length, on middle and leg. Marco Jansen tries to smash it over the off side, but gets a fat, healthy inside edge. The ball runs past the leg stump and goes through the vacant short fine leg region for a boundary.

SIX! Gets a good piece of it! A bit too full and into the slot from Rashid, around off. Marco Jansen takes a giant stride ahead, gets under the ball nicely and dumps it down the ground for a cracking six. Important runs these for the Punjab Kings.

Serves it full and far outside off. Marco Jansen lofts it inside out over extra cover. Nishant Sindhu comes charging across to his right from deep point and mops it up. Two taken. 150 UP FOR PUNJAB KINGS!

Floated up, full and around off. Jansen drives it off the front foot to long off and denies the single.

Keeps it full on the stumps, Marco Jansen flicks it to deep square leg's left for a single. So 8 runs from the penultimate over.

Low full toss, outside off at 140.4 kph. Marco Jansen slices it just over Shubman Gill at extra cover for a couple of runs as Gill hunts it down in the outfield.

In line of the leg stump, full in length, clipped across to the square leg region for a single.

Wide across the batter, full in length. Vijaykumar Vyshak tries to run it behind but misses.

Uppish, but safe! On a back of a length on the leg stump. Jansen backs away and thumps it down to long on. Siraj collects on the bounce in the deep.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! It hasn't been his evening so far, for Manav Suthar as he shells a sitter. Pitched full and on the stumps. Marco Jansen clears the front leg and tries to smoke it over deep mid-wicket, but does not properly get under it. Hits it off the toe end and it goes high up in the air towards the leg side. Manav Suthar does not look steady under it and puts it down at deep mid-wicket. Two taken. A huge relief for Jansen.

WIDE! Slams it short but down leg. Marco gets inside the line and misses to connect. Wide called.

Sees it off watchfully, does Vyshak and denies Hat Trick for Holder. Full in front of the stumps. Vijaykumar Vyshak presses forward and smothers it onto the pitch. 4-0-24-4 for Holder as he wraps his spell.

Vijaykumar Vyshak is the next batter in, and is the Impact Sub for PBKS, replacing Nehal Wadhera.

Nehal Wadhera is substituted by Vijaykumar Vyshak

OUT! BOWLED! A ripper from Holder and he is on a Hat Trick. He is over the moon as he gets his 4th wicket. Over the wicket, Holder uses the wider angle. Hard length, outside off, nipping back in sharply. Bartlett looks to punch it down the ground without moving his feet, gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball tickles the top of the middle stump. Golden duck for Bartlett. PBKS are 141/8.

Xavier Bartlett is in next.

OUT! MISCUED IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Good bit of battle between the two all-rounders and Holder has the last laugh. Holder goes short and on middle and leg, from around the wicket. Marcus Stoinis goes back in the crease and tries to flat bat it over long on, but slices it off the blade, perhaps getting it high on the willow. Slices it straight into the hands of Washington Sundar at long on. Stoinis is livid with himself for not getting the timing right on that one. This wicket could shrink a fair bit of runs from the total. Punjab Kings are 141/7 after 17.4 overs.

With 14 balls left, can PBKS finish strongly?

WIDE! Seeing Stoinis moving in the crease, Holder tries to push it across on a short length, but it goes beyond the tramline and Stoinis leaves. Wide called.

FOUR! Up and over! Holder tries to outthink the batter and comes from around the stump. But slips in a low full toss, wide outside off. Marcus Stoinis goes deep in the crease and lifts it over the in-field. Doesn't time it well off the middle, but has enough muscle to clear mid off for a boundary.

Fires it fuller and on middle. Marco Jansen clears the front leg away and heaves it off the inner half to long on for a run.

From around the wicket, Holder pushes it across the right-hander on a length. Stoinis has already shuffled outside off and guides it to deep third for a single.

Not much, just a single. Low full toss, on off, Stoinis runs it along the ground to long off for a single.

Will the extra delivery cost GT?

WIDE! Bang on review from Stoinis. Short and wide outside off, Marcus Stoinis leaps a bit to slash it over point, but misses. He is disappointed that it hasn't been deemed a wide for height and goes upstairs for a review. Ball Tracking confirms that it is marginally above the head height. Stoinis' head height is 1.92 meters and the ball has passed at 1.96 meters. So, the on-field decision is overturned.

Is that a wide for height? The on-field umpire says no and Stoinis has challenged it by reviewing. The side-on angle comes up with the Ball Tracking. It shows that it is passing just above the head height. So it is called a wide.

FOUR! Finds the gap to perfection! Stoinis moves to 34 (27). Short and off pace, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hops on the toes, waits for the ball to arrive. He steers it away and finds the gap wide of backward point and beats the deep third fielder to his right for a boundary.

Attacks the stumps, on a good length. Marco Jansen backs away and knocks it to the right of mid off. Shubman Gill swoops across with a slide and cuts it off. Just a single.

At pace, this is short on off. Marcus Stoinis tries to swat it down the ground, but slices it over mid on. The ball lands in front of the long on fielder who picks it up on the bounce. One taken.

Deceptive bumper with pace taken off, outside off. Marcus Stoinis climbs the imaginary ladder to play the ramp shot, but is beaten by the lack of pace.

Pace off on a length, on middle. Marcus gets on the back foot and stabs it to extra cover.

STRATEGIC BREAK! What a time to get a wicket for the Titans and it is the in-form Suryansh Shedge who gets out. Punjab Kings have managed to drag their way out of trouble and with 4 overs remaining, they will now be targeting a score of around 160-170. GT will be pleased with that wicket but will hope to get a couple more, or else, Punjab could end up getting a defendable total on the board. With that said, Marco Jansen walks out to bat now. Also, Mohammed Siraj will bowl out. 3-0-20-2 so far are his bowling figures.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Rabada shows his smarts and ends this 79-run partnership. Hits the hard length, just outside off at over 145 kph and gets a good bit of lift as well. The shot is on for Shedge to play the ramp shot. He stands tall, goes for it to hit it over short third, but is beaten by pace and edges it back to the keeper. Probably cramped for space too on that occasion. Buttler gathers it nicely above his head. Top knock from the young Suryansh Shedge. Punjab Kings are 126/6. Rabada ends his spell with excellent figures, reading 4-1-22-2.

Fuller one, on middle and leg. Stoinis stays put and dinks it through mid on for a single.

Slower one, into the pitch, short on off. Suryansh Shedge top edges on the pull shot, but the ball lands safely behind mid-wicket for a single.

Good heat! Shedge backs away looking for room and Rabada reads it immediately, firing a short ball angling in down leg. Suryansh goes hard at the slash but is beaten for pace and bounce.

Beaten! Good response from KG! Skids through the deck, a bit fullish and around off, nipping away. Shedge tries to slam it downtown, only to miss.

SIX! Picked up and dumped into the stands! Rabada errs in line and length, a juicy half-volley, drifting down leg. Suryansh Shedge gladly accepts the gift and whips it behind deep backward square leg for a six.

Kagiso Rabada replaces Manav Suthar.

There it is, a maiden IPL FIFTY for Suryansh Shedge and what a time to get it as well. Flatter one on middle, turns back in as well. Shedge waits back and works it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A tad short and wide outside off, Stoinis cuts it down to deep backward point and collcts a single.

Rashid immediately drags the length back and bowls it much straighter. Stoinis fails to get it away.

SIX! The Hulk joins the six-hitting party now. Tossed up, full and just outside off. Marcus Stoinis lunges to reach for it and lifts it back over the bowler's head for another biggie.

Drifted into the pads now, Shedge works it away wide of mid-wicket and turn the strike over.

Flatter length ball on off, dragged down to long on for a single by Stoinis.

Can this be the turning point for PBKS here? Rashid Khan is brought back on. 2-0-8-0 so far. He replaces Arshad Khan.

SIX! Wow, Suryansh Shedge has taken Manav Suthar to the cleaners, 27 off the over. Another juicy full toss, this time on middle. Suryansh Shedge whacks it across the line and over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

FOUR! Oh, you can feel the momentum shift and the 100 is up for Punjab. Short and wide outside off, a bit slower too. Shedge reaches for it and does well to hit it well to the left of deep point to find the fence.

FOUR! That's easy pickings for the batter and the 50-run stand is up between these two. A juicy full toss, outside off. Shedge just eases it into the huge gap at covers and picks up a boundary.

SIX! That's gone deep into the stands. A bit too full and on middle, Suryansh Shedge clears the front leg and hits through the line, pummeling the ball back over the sightscreen for another biggie.

SIX! Suryansh Shedge has decided to counterattack now. Length ball around off, Shedge gets his hands out in front and drags the ball across a bit, getting a hold of it and it sails over long on for a six.

Fullish length on middle, sliding on, Stoinis eases it to the left of the bowler and gets it down to long off for a run.

Manav Suthar is brought into the attack now. He replaces Rashid Khan.

A single to end, but 15 runs come off it. Back of a length, angled across off, Stoinis runs it down to deep third and collects a single.

WIDE! Another wild delivery. Khan switches back to over the wicket and digs it in halfway down the pitch, and wide outside off. Left alone for a wide for height.

FOUR! That's a poor delivery. Shortish length, angled down leg, Stoinis just gets inside the line and helps it wide of the keeper into the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Arshad comes around the wicket and angles the ball well into the batter. Shedge backs away and flicks it behind square leg for a single.

Hard length over middle, Shedge skips down the pitch and lofts it over extra cover. Shubman Gill does well to chase it down as the batters pick up a couple of runs.

SIX! Shot of the game so far. Into the surface again, on the leg stump. This time, Shedge holds his shape and just heaves it off the hips and over deep square leg for a biggie. Surprisingly, it's the first one of the night as well.

Oh, a hack across the line from Suryansh Shedge but he misses. Heavy length, on leg stump, Shedge backs away and swings across the line but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Change? Yup. Arshad Khan (1-0-6-0) replaces Jason Holder.

Floated up again, at the stumps, Stoinis defends it off the front foot. Just the four singles in the over, then.

A bit more flighted, on off and middle, Stoinis lunges to defend.

A short wrong'un, turning into the batter. Suryansh Shedge rocks back and pulls it on the bounce to the deep mid-wicket fielder for a fourth straight single in the over.

Tossed up, full and straight, Marcus Stoinis clears the front leg and just strokes it along the turf through mid off for one more.

Flatter this time, on off, Shedge punches it with a straight bat and gets it down to long off again for another single.

Tossed up, very full and around off, hit on the up and down to long off for a run.

Banged in well short now, Stoinis reaches out and pulls it down towards cow corner for a single to end the over, 11 off it.

FOUR! That's stellar timing from Stoinis. Fractionally short again, not too wide outside off. Stoinis backs away a bit and glides it through backward point and the ball races away to the fence.

FOUR! Unfortunate for the bowler. Shortish length, angled into the batter, Stoinis swivels and tries to pull but gets an under edge and the ball rolls away into the fine leg fence.

Fuller now, around off, Suryansh Shedge lunges ahead and punches it to mid off, picking up a quick single as well.

Similar line and length, a bit straighter this time. Stoinis rocks back and punches it towards extra cover for a single.

Just back of a length, angled in towards off, Stoinis stays back and dabs it to backward point.

Overpitched on middle, Stoinis eases it down to long on for a single. Another quiet over. Rashid starts nicely. Just 4 runs from it. At halfway, Punjab Kings are 51/5.

Nice and full, just outside off. Stoinis tries to reverse sweep, but the ball rolls off the inner half to backward point.

Leg break, full on off, Suryansh Shedge steers it against the spin and through mid-wicket for a single. 50 UP FOR PUNJAB KINGS!

Another googly dished out, full on leg. Marcus leans on and drills it to long on for a single.

A googly now, touch fuller and spinning back on the leg stump. Marcus gets across and tries to paddle it fine on the leg side, but misses and is hit on the front pad. The ball deflects behind and the first slip fielder dives to his left to stop the ball. A slight appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. Doing too much to slide down leg.

Floated full and on middle and leg. Suryansh Shedge gets on the front foot and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan to have a bowl now.

On top of middle, Stoinis rides the bounce and punches it away to mid off.

Inside edge saves Stoinis! Touch fuller and jagging back into the batter, on middle. Marcus Stoinis is pinned in the crease and plays around it to get hit on the back thigh. A massive appeal for LBW, but the umpire is unmoved. Holder is quite certain and Buttler runs towards the bowler to have a chat. The question is whether there is an inside edge. Holder doesn't think so and convinces Gill to take the review. However, the front-on replay shows that there is a clear deflection onto the pads. It is confirmed by the UltraEdge as it comes up with a huge spike. GT lose a review.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Jason Holder has that golden touch at the moment and with half the Punjab batting lineup already back in the hut, it's time for a breather. It has been a relentless spell of pressure from the GT pacers and the Punjab batters have had no answers. Shreyas Iyer did try for a bit to steady the ship for his side, but his dismissal now means that the home side is well and truly on top. Punjab might be forced to use the Impact Sub much sooner than they would have liked. With that said, Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat at number 7.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Wicket number 2 for Holder and this is just like a hammer blow on PBKS as they lose their skipper. Slams the deck hard and it nips back sharply into the batter over middle. Shreyas Iyer gets into a tangle as he is cramped for room. Is late to decide and goes for the dab to the off side, only to chop it back onto the stumps behind. He has a long stare at the pitch before making the long walk back. Shreyas has a stare at the pitch before walking away. Punjab Kings are 47/5.

Good length, around off. Shedge steers it through the backward point and cover-point gap for a run.

Puts an extra bit of effort to slam the ball, short on middle, slanting in. Iyer gets a bit across and pulls it along the ground for a single at deep mid-wicket.

Bashes the length hard, outside off. Iyer stays back and knocks it straight to backward point.

Hits the deck hard, angling from leg to middle. Suryansh Shedge gets behind the line and blocks it down the pitch. Good start for Arshad as well. 6 runs from his first.

Straighter, fuller, on off. Suryansh Shedge presents full face of the bat and drives it straight to the mid off fielder.

Similar length, pitching just outside leg. Iyer presses back and nudges it behind square on the leg side for a run.

In-between length, on middle and leg. Shedge steers it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Fortuitous! Hard length, just outside off, angling away further. Suryansh Shedge is rushed on the pull shot but gets a thick inside edge. The ball rolls past the stumps to the left of Buttler who dives and half stops, but cannot take the sting out of it as it runs to the fence behind.

From over the stump. Length ball, on middle. Suryansh Shedge stays put and bunts it back to the bowler.

Double bowling change? Or will Kagiso Rabada bowl out here? It is a bowling change as Arshad Khan is introduced into the attack now.

Back of a length, on top of off, Suryansh Shedge presses back and eases it through cover-point for an easy run. Another successful over for GT. Just 4 runs and a wicket from it.

Well-directed short ball at chest height. Shreyas swivels and pulls it to the left of mid-wicket for a single.

Good length ball, on top of off. Iyer plays it late off the back foot and runs it wide of backward point for a single.

The Punjab batting lineup is in tatters right now. Suryansh Shedge is the new batter in.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Proper Test match length from Holder and he gets the reward. Punjab Kings are in deep trouble. Holder bashes the length hard, and angles it across the batter, outside off. Nehal Wadhera has a loose poke at it, playing it away from his body without moving his feet. An outside edge is found the ball flies flat to the left of Butter. Jos dives full-length to his left and gathers it nicely in his gloves. Iyer is stranded at one end and needs some stability from the other end. PBKS are 36/4.

On a length, around the leg stump. Nehal Wadhera shimmies down the track to work it across, but is cramped for space and the ball beats the inside edge. It goes off the thigh pad and flies over the sticks and rolls to the keeper.

Angles it onto the pads, on a length. Shreyas tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Wow, what a Powerplay for the bowling side. There does seem to be something in it for the new-ball bowlers. Jason Holder now comes into the attack, replacing Mohammed Siraj.

Back of a length, outside off. Nehal stabs it away to the backward point region. The fielder there dives to his right and makes a sharp stop. A WICKET MAIDEN from Rabada to wrap the Powerplay. Punjab Kings are 35/3.

Hits the deck hard and angles it outside off, Nehal Wadhera has a feel for it, but prevents himself and drags the bat inside the line to leave.

Excellent variety from Rabada! Follows up with a 148.8 kph bumper, over the leg stump. Nehal Wadhera is taken by surprise, and just manages to dodge under the projectile.

Corker! Back of a length, straightening off the pitch on off. Nehal Wadhera hangs back and tries to defend, but the ball flirts past the outside edge on its way to the keeper.

A third wicket inside the Powerplay for GT. Nehal Wadhera walks out to bat now, at number 5.

OUT! MISTIMED AND TAKEN EASILY! A rare occasion where both the Punjab openers have failed to make any impact. Rabada shines. He hits the hard length, keeping the line of attack around the off pole and gets a decent lift as well. Prabhsimran Singh stands tall and tries to loft it over the cover fielder, but gets the ball high on the bat. Goes through the shot, but does not get the timing at all. Airs it away and offers a simple catching practice to Manav Suthar at cover. PBKS are 35/3.

Beaten! Back of a length, kicking up around off. Prabhsimran Singh arches back and tries to uppercut it over point but the ball zips over his angled bat.

Change? No. Rabada to bowl the third as well. 2-0-14-0 so far.

FOUR! A calculated risk from Iyer and he gets the desired result. Good length, around the top of the stumps, and Iyer smacks it up and over wide mid off for a boundary.

A third dot ball on the trot, and Iyer desperately wants to get off strike here. Good length, angled in towards middle and leg, Iyer nudges it just past thestrip in the off side and wants the single but Singh sends him back again.

Siraj drags the length back now, bowling it back of a length over off and middle. Iyer gets inside the line and pats it down to mid on.

Not full enough to play that shot. Pitched up on off stump, Shreyas Iyer drives through the line but gets it high on the bat and miscues it towards mid off.

FOUR! Whipped away from Iyer. Full again, on off and darts back in. Iyer gets a smidge inside the line and forces it flat and uppishly between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

Fuller than a good length, slipped back in towards middle stump at 142.9 kph. Iyer plays it late and pushes it out to covers.

Will Siraj get the third over in a row? Oh, yes. He will. 2-0-12-2 are his bowling figures so far.

Bashing the hard length again, Iyer taps it down behind square on the off side and pinches a run. Just four runs off the over.

Back of a length again, on off, Iyer chops it down just past off stump and looks for a quick single but is sent back.

Hard length, in and around off. Singh lets the ball come onto him before angling it behind point for a single.

Tight bowling again. Just back of a length, slanted back in from outside off. Singh looks to cut but chops it down towards the gully region.

Well, that's a wild swing from Prabhsimran. KG pitches it full and around the fifth stump line. Singh looks to lift it over long off but ends up connecting only with thin air.

Halt in play. It seems like the straps on Iyer's batting pads have come off while diving, and he gets rid of both of them. A new pair is on its way. Good to continue now.

TWO WIDES! A risky run. Hard length, angling down leg, Iyer leaves it alone and Buttler dives to his left, making a half stop. The ball deflects to Sudharsan, who picks and has a shy at the batting end, but misses. The ball rolls all the way to the non-striker's end and had the throw hit there, Shreyas would have been in huge trouble. To add to it, Prabhsimran Singh calls Iyer for a quick single as well and probably the Punjab skipper didn't like that call, a bit unnecessary at this stage of the game.

BEAUTY! Pitched up fuller and just outside off. This one angles in but then leaves the right-hander off the deck. Iyer goes fishing for the drive, but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Siraj goes full and angles it into the pads, looking to beat the bat. However, Iyer is up to the task and clips it down to long leg for a single. After 3 overs, PBKS are 23/2.

A good hustle from the batters. Good length on off, darts back in. Singh stays leg side of the ball and punches it out to extra cover for a quick single.

Back of a length and on off, Iyer presses back and punches it through the cover region for one more.

Straighter in line, on the pads, and worked away to deep backward square leg for a single by Prabhsimran.

Short of a good length and around off, Prabhsimran Singh goes for the drive but gets it uppishly and into the gap at covers for a couple of runs.

Another lovely delivery, this one stays a shade low as well. Good-length delivery, seaming away from off and middle. Singh pushes at it but gets beaten past the outside edge and the ball misses the off stump by a whisker as well.

A jaffa to finish the over. Good length again, on off, the ball straightens off the deck and bounces steeply, beating Iyer past the outside edge.

Hard length, darted into the pads, Singh fails to tuck it away. The ball goes off the pads and behind square leg for a leg bye.

Extra bounce! Good length, on off, shoots off the deck and Prabhsimran Singh gets taken aback, getting hit on the gloves.

Length ball outside off, driven wide of deep third but Siraj tidies up to his right in the deep and keeps it down to two runs.

FOUR! Streaky but will do nicely for Singh. Back of a length and in the channel, Singh rocks back and punches but the ball flies off the outer half of the blade and into the vacant third man fence.

FOUR! Into the gap! On a good length, outside the off stump, Prabhsimran Singh hits it through the line and creams it through the cover and point gap for a boundary.

Top-drawer opening over from Siraj. Kagiso Rabada will operate from the opposite end.

What an over to start the game, 6 runs and a couple of wickets off it. Good length around the top of off, Iyer hangs back and watchfully keeps it out in front of point.

FOUR! That's glorious from Iyer. Short of a good length, outside off, Iyer rocks back and slams it through the gap at covers for a boundary, the first one of the game.

No hat-trick! Back of a length and outside off. Shreyas Iyer gets on his toes and dabs it down towards point.

What a sensational start for the Titans through Siraj. And got to say, a brilliant decision by the on-field umpire amid the deafening noise from the crowd. In walks the PBKS captain, Shreyas Iyer, at number 4 and will face the Hat Trick ball.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A peach of a delivery and Mohammed Siraj is on a hat-trick in the very first over. This is bowled on a good length and on off, the ball shapes back in beautifully. Connolly has a push at it but the ball zips past the inside edge. There's a prolonged appeal for a caught behind and eventually, the umpire raises his finger. Cooper Connolly seems uncertain and has a chat with Prabhsimran Singh before finally taking the review. UltraEdge comes up and shows a thin spike when the ball is next to the inside edge. Connolly has to walk back and GT are up and about as one.

Huge blow for PBKS as the lethal opening pair is separated in just two balls. Siraj continues to dominate in the Powerplay. Cooper Connolly is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Siraj gets his man on the second chance and Punjab Kings are already 2/1 after just 2 deliveries. Siraj dishes out another short-pitched delivery, bowling it wide outside the off stump. Priyansh Arya fails to resist the temptation and flat-bats it wide of deep backward point. Nishant Sindhu, the debutant, scampers across to his left and takes a fine sliding catch.

Oh, what a valiant effort from Jos Buttler. Mohammed Siraj and GT almost get a wicket on the first ball. Siraj begins with a shortish delivery over off and middle. Priyansh Arya looks to pull but gets a top edge that flies down towards fine leg, but fairly fine. The keeper runs after it and puts in a big dive but the ball falls out of reach. Two taken.

All set to get going in Ahmedabad. It's been a scorching day, but a bit of evening breeze out there might bring some kind of relief for the spectators and players. The two umpires walk out to the middle. Shubman Gill leads his troops out to the park as the Titans spread to take their respective fielding spots. The destructive opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya make their way to the crease. Mohammed Siraj has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Arya will face the first ball. There's a slip in place. The countdown is done and it's time to play. Here we go!

The Knights dominate the Orange Army - Well, another pretty one-sided contest, which has just concluded, in Hyderabad. Kolkata Knight Riders have chased down 166 with plenty of comfort, winning by 7 wickets to halt the SRH juggernaut. Three wins on the trot now for KKR. It takes them to 7 points and they remain in the eighth position. For the Sunrisers, this is their fourth defeat but they remain in a very strong position, currently third on the table with 12 points.

The captain of the Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer, on the pitch, says it looks beautiful with a little bit of grass on it. Adds that it is a black soiled surface that is a little unusual. He adds that Punjab have played a game on this surface before. On the team changes, he confirms Xavier Bartlett and Vijaykumar Vyshak come back in the side. On the intensity of the league, he says it is not frustration but an intense tournament where they have to travel and come up fresh for every game. He calls it just another game and says Punjab will try to execute to the best of their abilities.

The captain of the Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says that they will bowl first because they have been chasing well and their bowling has also been top-notch. Adds that how Rahul Tewatia batted and finished things off in the last game was good to see. On the pitch, Gill says that there is a green tinge to it. Feels that in a tournament like the IPL, you need to peak at the right time, which he feels they are doing and hopes that this is a perfect game for them. Ends by informing that Nishant Sindhu is set to make his debut.

Impact sub options for GT - Rahul Tewatia, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Kulwant Khejroliya.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Nishant Sindhu (On debut for GT and in for Shahrukh Khan), Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar.

Impact sub options for PBKS - Harpreet Brar, Vishnu Vinod, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Musheer Khan, Mitchell Owen.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI) - Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Suryansh Shedge, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett (In for Lockie Ferguson), Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Shubman Gill gives it a flick and Shreyas calls Tails, but it lands as a Head. Gujarat Titans elect to BOWL first.

Time for the coin flip - It is coming to toss time in Ahmedabad. And the latest update from the GT huddle is that Nishant Sindhu has got his debut cap and is all set to play in this match. Both the captains, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are ready in the middle. Both look in a pretty good mood sharing smiles around. The ever-lively Danny Morrison is ready to lead the proceedings.

Coach's perspective - The Head Coach of Punjab Kings, Ricky Ponting, is up for a quick chat. On what the messaging was after the first loss of the season, Ponting shares that the talks were very positive. Details that a lot of these games are decided by thin margins and one or two balls either way can change the course of the game. Mentions that PBKS' batting performance in the last game was pretty good enough as they posted 222 on the board, but is quick to accept that they made a few errors in the execution with the ball. Mentions that the bowlers in this format of the game are under so much pressure that you need to cut them a bit of slack. Says that their performances, barring the last game, have been really strong across departments and hopes that they can bounce back in this one, giving a strong response. On being asked whether they have done something special to address the bowling concerns ahead of this game, Ponting nods and shares that they went back to the drawing board and analysed what went wrong, with the focus on making slight adjustments. Adds that the hardest thing for the bowlers in this tournament is that the lengths are changing from venue to venue. Details that when you break down the data, you understand how crucial bowling is on certain lengths at different venues. Says that the boys have worked hard on those adjustments and mentions that since it is a black-soil surface, it will probably have a good bit of bounce as compared to the previous game in Mullanpur. Credits the spinners by singling out Yuzvendra Chahal and says that he was outstanding in the last game, and Brar also did a good job. Says if these guys continue performing like that in this game, hopefully they will be on the right side of the result. On the recent catching issues, Ponting says it is one of those things that can be hard to address and that sometimes the more you talk about it, the harder it gets for the players. He mentions that they try to reinforce the hard work already put in, and that the players who dropped catches have probably done more catching practice than anyone else. Stresses that they have pulled them aside for individual work and hopes they hold on to everything tonight.

PITCH REPORT - Abhinav Mukund is inspecting the deck. He starts by saying that it is Pitch number 5 that is being used today. Talks a bit more about the diameters of the ground and says that the square boundaries are 70 meters and 64 meters on either side, and it is a 74-meter hit down the ground. Simon Katich joins him and gives insights on the playing surface. He starts by highlighting that two gun leg spinners are on show tonight and the average degree of turn on this pitch is the highest here, but the quicks will have a role to play as well. Katich adds that there are a few cracks, and it is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle and expects there to be a bit of movement with the new ball. Mukund informs that teams generally choose to bowl first, but the team batting first has won more matches at this venue since the last season. Katich ends by saying that both teams will still look to chase, as it is their strength.

Strolling to a victory - While we wait for the toss from this clash, down south in Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders are in a very comfortable position in the afternoon game. Chasing 166 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, as per the latest update, KKR need just 33 runs off the last five overs with 8 wickets in hand. If they win, which looks highly likely, this will be a hat-trick of wins for KKR, and it will also bring an end to a five-match winning streak for the Sunrisers. You can follow all the updates from that game by switching tabs.

Under the scanner - Punjab Kings' bowling was put to the sword in Jaipur vs RR, and failing to defend 222 has left some uncomfortable questions in the dressing room. Arshdeep Singh is the name in the spotlight. He is getting wickets, and that counts for something, but 1/68 in 4 overs and a season economy of almost 11 so far is a difficult combination to overlook for a bowler carrying the weight of this attack on his shoulders. For Gujarat Titans, Jason Holder's inclusion has plugged some gaps and added genuine depth with both bat and ball. Rahul Tewatia got some game time last time around, but the middle order is still finding its rhythm as a unit. They are yet to chase 200 or more this season, and against a Punjab Kings side that can explode at any moment, tonight could be the night that question gets answered. All in all, it’s shaping up to be an absolute cracking contest. Stay tuned for the toss and team updates.

Spicing up the ladder - If you look at the points table, there is a clear gulf between the top five and the bottom five. Gujarat Titans sit right at the dividing line, fifth on the table, one foot in each half. Their results from here could have consequences well beyond their own campaign. What is encouraging for GT is the timing of their ascent. The pieces are falling into place, slowly but surely, and they are finding form at exactly the right moment in the season. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have spent most of IPL 2026 making the rest of the field look ordinary. The table toppers have rarely been tested, but Jaipur brought them their first real setback, ending an unbeaten streak that had begun to look unassailable. They will want to put that right, and quickly.

Contrasting T20 philosophies - Two teams, two completely different schools of thought. Gujarat Titans are a bit old-fashioned in the best possible sense, a side that believes in traditionality and patience. Punjab Kings operate on an entirely different frequency. They are known to start in fifth gear, bat without fear and never once look for the brake pedal. The 46th match of IPL 2026 brings us back to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. On that note, hello and welcome to our coverage. Hope you all are having a cracking weekend. If not, worry not. We are here for you with the dopamine dose.

... MATCH DAY ...

Battle for the playoffs continues - Match 46 of the Indian Premier League 2026 brings together Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, in what is shaping up to be a crucial clash. With the tournament entering its decisive phase, both teams are fighting for playoff positioning. PBKS sit at the top of the table with a strong win record, while GT are placed mid-table and are itching to find some consistency to break into the top four. For Punjab, a win would further solidify their grip on a playoff berth. For Gujarat, this match could define their season trajectory - either solidifying their position in the top of the table or pushing them into a must-win situation going forward. Who has the momentum coming into this clash? Punjab Kings have arguably been the most consistent side this season, winning six of their first eight matches and carrying strong momentum despite a recent loss. Their balanced lineup and ability to win in different conditions make them formidable opponents. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have had a mixed campaign with five wins in nine matches. While they have shown flashes of brilliance, including recent victories, their inconsistency, especially at home, remains a concern. Head-to-head record - The rivalry between GT and PBKS has been evenly contested. The overall head-to-head stands level at 3-3, underlining how closely matched these teams are. However, recent trends slightly favor Punjab Kings, who have won three out of the last four encounters between the two sides and even edged GT earlier this season. What about the pitch and conditions? The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad typically offers a batting-friendly surface, with good bounce and pace aiding stroke play. Scores in the range of 175–200 are considered competitive, though bowlers, especially those who hit the deck hard, can extract assistance. Spinners are also expected to play a role in the middle overs, making this a well-balanced surface where both bat and ball can influence the game. Team strengths - GT’s core revolves around Shubman Gill, who anchors the innings, alongside the explosive Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler at the top. Their bowling attack is spearheaded by Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, giving them both control and wicket-taking ability. Plus, the inclusion of Jason Holder has given them that three-dimensional ability in a single player and his game-winning performance against RCB showed just that. PBKS, on the other hand, boast a dynamic batting unit led by Shreyas Iyer and an explosive opening pairing of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, supported by all-rounders like Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen. Their bowling is strengthened by Arshdeep Singh and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has been key in the middle overs. Form - (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) - GT - WWLLW | PBKS - LWWWW. Predictions? This contest pits Punjab’s consistency and explosiveness against Gujarat’s firepower and recent momentum. PBKS appear slightly ahead due to their overall form, depth, and superior number of wins, but GT’s top-order strength and bowling attack make them dangerous, especially if they dominate the Powerplay. Expect a high-scoring, closely fought encounter where small margins, particularly in the first six overs and death overs, could decide the outcome. Who are you backing for the win?