The Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans side has gone miles ahead in picking wickets with short-pitched deliveries, leading the tally with 29 wickets as compared to the Kolkata Knight Riders’ 19.
With 29 wickets, GT sit ahead of the rest, highlighting how their pacers have used bounce and hard lengths to trouble batters.
Suryansh Shedge struck a 57 of rare quality, but a fierce spell from pacers Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada ensured Gujarat Titans restricted Punjab Kings to a modest 163/9.
Most wickets by pacers (short balls): IPL 2026
29: Gujarat Titans
19: Kolkata Knight Riders
16: Rajasthan Royals
15: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
13: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Siraj set the tone early with two wickets in the opening over to rattle PBKS. Rabada’s
raw pace kept the pressure on, while Holder delivered the decisive blow with a superb 4/24, the best bowling figures for GT against Punjab Kings.
The wickets keep falling 😲
🎥 Jason Holder and Jos Buttler combine to add to #PBKS miseries 🔥
Nehal Wadhera departs too 🫣
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/9vBsQTIV2x#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #GTvPBKS pic.twitter.com/VaTpsIFfrD
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2026
At 47/5 inside nine overs, PBKS were deep in trouble. Although Suryansh Shedge fought back with a valiant 57 and added a crucial 79-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis, the early damage had already taken its toll.
Shedge showed brilliant composure under pressure, blending caution with calculated aggression. His intent was evident in a brutal over against Manav Suthar that yielded 26 runs.
But just as PBKS started to rebuild, Rabada struck again to dismiss Shedge, dashing hopes of a full recovery.
GT’s pacers kept striking at regular intervals, never permitting PBKS to regain control. A few late blows from Marco Jansen lifted the total to 163/9, but it still felt below par after the early collapse.
With their pacers executing plans to perfection, with the short-pitched delivery, Gujarat Titans are not just winning matches; they are redefining how pace can dictate games in IPL 2026.
