Sudharsan's 61, Sundar's 50 guide GT to 168/5 against SRH in IPL 2026
Synopsis
Sudharsan and Sundar turned a shaky 34/2 into a commanding 168/5, proving once again that IPL matches are decided in the middle overs, not the powerplay. GT's composure under pressure and late-order aggression against quality pace bowling—especially Sundar's calculated gaps—will worry SRH's bowlers heading into the chase.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Titans posted 168/5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on 12 May 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium .
Sai Sudharsan scored 61 off 44 balls, marking his third successive 50-plus score of the season.
Washington Sundar contributed 50 off 33 with aggressive late-overs batting.
GT 's powerplay score of 34/2 was their lowest of the season, but they recovered via a 60-run fourth-wicket partnership .
Sakib Hussain took 2/37 , while Pat Cummins claimed 1/20 and Praful Hinge finished with 2/17 .
Gujarat Titans recovered from a precarious 34/2 powerplay to post 168/5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on 12 May 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, riding steadying knocks from Sai Sudharsan (61 off 44) and a late blitz by Washington Sundar (50 off 33). The contest saw SRH's disciplined pace attack initially dominate, before GT's middle order seized the initiative in the middle and death phases.
Early pressure from SRH bowlers
Pat Cummins set the tone with probing hard lengths, while Praful Hinge struck twice to leave Gujarat in early distress. GT's 34/2 powerplay score marked their lowest of the season, as SRH's new-ball pair executed their lengths with precision and extracted movement off a seamer-friendly surface.
Sudharsan steadies the ship
Sudharsan arrived at the crease and showed composure under pressure, initially accumulating runs through careful placement before shifting gears once the field spread. His partnership with Nishant Sindhu injected momentum—Sindhu struck an 85-metre six off Nitish Kumar Reddy and followed with boundaries against Hinge. However, Sindhu's aggressive 22 off 14 ended when he miscued Cummins to Heinrich Klaasen at long-off, leaving GT at 68/3 after ten overs.
Sundar's match-turning partnership
Washington Sundar arrived and played the defining role in Gujarat's recovery. Initially watchful against spin, he pivoted to target pace bowlers with calculated aggression, employing scoops, pulls, and gap placement to keep the scoring rate alive. His 60-run fourth-wicket partnership with Sudharsan proved crucial, steering GT past the danger zone. Sudharsan meanwhile continued his season-long consistency, striking elegant drives off Sakib Hussain and Eshan Malinga before launching a straight six. His fifty arrived via a boundary off a Shivang Kumar sweep—his third successive 50-plus score.
Late-order execution and final flourishes
Sakib Hussain removed Sudharsan for 61 when the batter miscued a scoop to short third man, but Sundar ensured Gujarat finished strongly. He accelerated sharply in the final overs, bringing up a 33-ball fifty with aggressive stroke-play. Sundar departed for 50 in the penultimate over, caught by Ishan Kishan off Sakib's slower delivery. Rahul Tewatia added the finishing touch with a boundary off the final ball.
SRH's disciplined bowling display
Cummins finished with 1/20 in four overs, executing yorkers consistently during the middle phases, while Hinge claimed 2/17 with sharp seam bowling. Sakib Hussain ended with 2/37, providing breakthroughs at key junctures. Despite restricting GT from threatening the 180-mark, SRH's bowlers could not prevent a competitive total on a surface that favoured seam movement throughout.
Point of View
But Sudharsan and Sundar's middle-overs partnership—60 runs, zero panic—exposed the real skill gap: the ability to read pitch conditions and bowler intent. Sundar's gap-hitting against Sakib and his scoops against yorkers weren't reckless; they were calculated. GT's 168 looks competitive on a seamer-friendly track, but it also underscores that on surfaces offering movement, 170+ requires either a dominant top order or exceptional composure from the middle. SRH's bowlers executed well; GT's batters executed better.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Gujarat Titans' final total against Sunrisers Hyderabad?
Gujarat Titans posted 168/5 in 20 overs on 12 May 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Sai Sudharsan scored 61 off 44 balls and Washington Sundar contributed 50 off 33 balls.
How did GT recover from their slow powerplay?
GT scored only 34/2 in the powerplay, their lowest of the season, but recovered through a crucial 60-run fourth-wicket partnership between Sudharsan and Sundar in the middle overs. Both batters combined composure with calculated aggression to accelerate the scoring rate.
What was Washington Sundar's contribution to GT's total?
Washington Sundar played a match-turning innings of 50 off 33 balls, initially watchful against spin before targeting pace bowlers with scoops, pulls, and gap placement in the death overs. He departed caught by Ishan Kishan off Sakib Hussain's slower delivery.
Which SRH bowlers stood out in the match?
Praful Hinge took 2/17 with sharp seam bowling, while Pat Cummins claimed 1/20 in four overs with consistent yorker execution. Sakib Hussain finished with 2/37, removing both Sudharsan and Sundar at key moments.
Was 168/5 a competitive total on the Narendra Modi Stadium pitch?
Yes, 168/5 was considered competitive on a seam-friendly surface that assisted the bowlers throughout the innings. GT's recovery from 68/3 after ten overs to a final total of 168 demonstrates the quality of their middle-order batting and the difficulty of scoring freely on that particular pitch.
