Holder's 4/24 and Siraj's new-ball blitz restrict PBKS to 163/9 in IPL clash
Synopsis
Gujarat Titans turned a disciplined bowling clinic into a stranglehold. From Siraj's two-wicket first over to Holder's four-for at the death, Punjab was suffocated into submission — despite Shedge's fireworks. The 163 total feels like a par-or-below score on a surface that favoured the bowlers.
Key Takeaways
Jason Holder claimed 4/24 , dismantling Punjab's middle order at the death.
Mohammed Siraj removed Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly in the opening over, reducing Punjab to 6/2 .
Suryansh Shedge scored 57 off 29 balls , including a 27-run over off Manav Suthar .
Shedge and Marcus Stoinis added 79 runs for the sixth wicket, Punjab's second-highest partnership at that position in IPL history.
Kagiso Rabada finished with 2/22 , while Siraj took 2/28 .
Gujarat Titans executed a disciplined bowling display to restrict Punjab Kings to 163/9 in their IPL 2026 encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 3 May, despite a counter-attacking half-century from Suryansh Shedge. Jason Holder's four-wicket haul and Mohammed Siraj's incisive opening spell proved decisive in keeping Punjab's total manageable.
Early collapse sets the tone
Electing to bowl first, Gujarat struck in the very first over as Siraj removed Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly to leave Punjab reeling at 6/2. The early onslaught exposed the pitch's movement and uneven bounce, forcing the batsmen into defensive mode. Kagiso Rabada complemented Siraj's aggression by dismissing Prabhsimran Singh, leaving Punjab struggling at 35/3 after the powerplay.
Holder's intervention compounds Punjab's woes
Holder made an immediate impact upon introduction, removing Nehal Wadhera before bowling Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer for 19 in the ninth over. The all-rounder's spell reduced Punjab to 47/5, seemingly putting the contest beyond reach. However, the innings was far from over.
Shedge's blitz threatens to turn the tide
Shedge and Marcus Stoinis launched a spirited recovery, combining for a crucial 79-run partnership for the sixth wicket — Punjab's second-highest at that position in IPL history. Shedge, displaying composure under pressure, reached his half-century off just 24 balls, including a devastating 27-run over off Manav Suthar that briefly shifted momentum. Stoinis provided steady support with 40 runs, rotating strike and finding timely boundaries as the duo threatened to push the total past 170.
Death bowling seals the outcome
Rabada returned to break the stand, dismissing Shedge for 57 off 29 balls in the 17th over. Holder then delivered the knockout punch, removing Stoinis and striking twice more in the same over to finish with figures of 4/24 — his best in the tournament. Marco Jansen's cameo of 20 off 11 offered brief resistance, but Rashid Khan and Arshad Khan maintained control in the final overs to restrict Punjab to 163/9.
What it means
Punjab's innings encapsulated both resilience and fragility — from 47/5 to a brief resurgence, only to falter at the death. Gujarat's bowling combination, led by Holder's precision and Siraj's aggression, proved too potent. The target remains gettable but demands a composed chase.
Point of View
Yet it masked a deeper fragility in Punjab's batting line-up. When Arya and Connolly fell in the first over, the innings was essentially lost — the Shedge-Stoinis partnership merely delayed the inevitable. Gujarat's bowlers, particularly Holder and Siraj, executed the fundamentals flawlessly: early aggression, death bowling discipline, and the ability to respond when a batter threatened to break free. This is the template for IPL success.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Punjab Kings innings?
Punjab Kings scored 163/9 in 20 overs. Suryansh Shedge top-scored with 57 off 29 balls, while Marcus Stoinis contributed 40 runs.
How many wickets did Jason Holder take?
Jason Holder took 4 wickets for 24 runs, claiming the scalps of Nehal Wadhera, Shreyas Iyer, Marcus Stoinis, and one other batter in a decisive spell at the death.
What happened in the first over of Punjab's innings?
Mohammed Siraj removed both Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly in the opening over, reducing Punjab to 6/2 and setting a difficult tone for the rest of the innings.
What was the significance of the Shedge-Stoinis partnership?
The 79-run sixth-wicket partnership between Suryansh Shedge and Marcus Stoinis was Punjab's second-highest at that position in IPL history. It briefly threatened to take the total past 170 before Gujarat's death bowling dismantled the stand.
Which bowlers were most effective for Gujarat?
Jason Holder (4/24), Mohammed Siraj (2/28), and Kagiso Rabada (2/22) led Gujarat's bowling attack, combining to restrict Punjab to 163/9.
