Reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a dream start in their defense of 255 in Qualifier 1 of Indian Premier League 2026 against Gujarat Titans at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharam
Published: May 26, 2026 10:34 PM IST
Reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a dream start in their defense of 255 in Qualifier 1 of Indian Premier League 2026 against Gujarat Titans at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. Both of Gujarat’s in-form openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill were sent back to the pavilion within the 4th over in two absolutely contrasting manners.
GT had got off to a decent start, scoring 11 off the first over but Bhuvaneshwar Kumar’s 2nd over stopped the flow, leaving the 2022 champions at 13/0. However, in the 3rd over bowled by Jacob Duffy, Sai Sudharsan got out in the most bizarre fashion, something that every batter tries to avoid.
In the 3rd ball, Sudharsan played a very good cut shot to a short of a good length delivery but just as he began to leave the crease to run, the bat slipped from his hands and struck the stumps, meaning the left-hander had to depart through a hit wicket.
The batter wasn’t watching on as he had already started running and by the time he looked back, his bat struck the stumps. His innings, which started off nicely, ended at 14 off 9. Jos Buttler then scored a four and a six in the remaining two balls of the over.
While many thought Shubman Gill was going to lead GT throughout the chase, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar said not today. The veteran seamer, who is on course to win the Purple Cap (most wickets) this season, enticed the GT skipper with a brilliant pitched up delivery that nipped back sharply off the seam.
Gill attempted a high-risk heave across the line but the ball caught a minor inside edge and rattled the middle stump, leaving Gujarat at 37/2.
More to follow..
