Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Sunrisers Hyderabad crashed to the lowest total in franchise history as Gujarat Titans produced a dominant bowling performance to secure an 82 run victory in the IPL on Tuesday night in Ahmedabad. South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada starred with 3 for 28 as Hyderabad were bowled out for just 86 while chasing 169, handing Pat Cummins’ side one of their heaviest defeats of the season. The result lifted Gujarat to the top of the IPL standings with eight wins from 12 matches and strengthened their push for a top two finish ahead of the playoffs.
Hyderabad’s batting lineup never recovered after losing Travis Head for a duck in the opening over, with Gujarat’s pace attack dismantling the visitors inside 14.5 overs. Gujarat’s total of 5 for 168 had earlier been built around important innings from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar after early setbacks.
Rabada and Gujarat quicks destroy Hyderabad batting
Gujarat’s bowlers dominated from the start of Hyderabad’s chase, with Mohammed Siraj striking in the first over to dismiss Head with the fourth ball of the innings.
Rabada then took control in the following overs, removing dangerous opener Abhishek Sharma for six before dismissing captain Ishan Kishan and Ravichandran Smaran in quick succession.
Kishan edged behind to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler for 11 while Smaran miscued a shot to Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill at mid off. Hyderabad collapsed under relentless pressure as wickets continued to fall throughout the innings.
“Worked out for us nicely,” Gill said after the match.
“We bowled very well. We knew if we bowled well, we would always be in the game.”
Rabada was later named player of the match following another influential display in Gujarat colours. The South African quick said clarity around his role had helped him perform consistently throughout the season.
“Season in, season out, all you try to do is do the best you can,” Rabada said.
“I have been backed and it has been clear what my role has been: leave everything out for the team.”
“Rhythm is everything. And for me, it’s about bowling as much as I can, but also preserving myself to be match ready.”
Holder and Rashid Khan finish off collapse
Jason Holder played a major supporting role in Hyderabad’s collapse, finishing with 3 for 20 from four overs. The West Indies all rounder removed key middle order batters including Heinrich Klaasen, whose 14 runs lifted him to the top of the IPL run scoring charts this season with 508 runs.
Holder’s disciplined spell ensured Hyderabad never threatened a recovery after the top order collapse.
Afghanistan leg spinner Rashid Khan wrapped up the innings when he trapped Praful Hinge lbw for the final wicket, sealing Hyderabad’s record low IPL total of 86.
Rabada praised the variety and balance within Gujarat’s bowling unit following the dominant performance.
“We each have our own natural attributes that we bring as bowlers,” Rabada said.
“And then it’s about seeing how much you can extract off those attributes without looking too far ahead.”
The victory pushed Gujarat above Hyderabad and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the points table. Gujarat now sit on 16 points and are strongly positioned to finish inside the top two, which would provide an extra opportunity to qualify for the final.
Sudharsan and Sundar rescue Gujarat innings
Gujarat’s batting effort had earlier looked vulnerable after Hyderabad pace bowler Praful Hinge struck twice during the powerplay.
Hinge dismissed both Gill for five and Buttler for seven to leave Gujarat under pressure early in the innings.
Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings with a composed 61 from 44 balls, combining controlled strokeplay with timely aggression. The left hander struck five fours and two sixes while building a crucial 60 run partnership with Washington Sundar for the fourth wicket.
Sudharsan’s innings shifted momentum back toward Gujarat after the shaky start and laid the platform for a competitive total.
After Sudharsan departed, Sundar continued the acceleration with an unbeaten 50 from 33 balls. His innings ensured Gujarat finished strongly and posted a target that ultimately proved far beyond Hyderabad’s reach.
The comprehensive victory highlighted Gujarat’s balance with both bat and ball as the tournament approaches the playoff stage. Their pace attack has become one of the most dangerous units in the competition, while contributions throughout the batting lineup continue to strengthen their title credentials.
For Hyderabad, the defeat marked a major setback in their campaign and exposed ongoing concerns around batting consistency against high quality pace attacks.
The IPL playoffs are scheduled to conclude with the final in Ahmedabad on May 31.
