The high-octane atmosphere at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad reached a fever pitch on Sunday night as the Gujarat Titans (GT) hosted the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 46th match of IPL 2026. In a season defined by soaring totals, GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid immediate dividends. What followed in the opening over was a masterclass in pace bowling that left the Punjab dugout shell-shocked and the Ahmedabad crowd in a state of delirium.
Mohammed Siraj rattles PBKS with two wickets in two balls in IPL 2026
Leading the attack for the Titans, Mohammed Siraj proved why he remains one of the most lethal new-ball operators in world cricket. After a dot ball to start the match, Siraj found his rhythm instantly. On the second delivery (0.2 ov), he steamed in and hit a back-of-a-length trajectory just outside off-stump. Priyansh Arya, looking to assert dominance early, attempted a speculative carve through the off-side. However, the bounce hurried him, and the ball flew toward deep backward point. Nishant Sindhu, making his IPL debut, showed no signs of nerves as he sprinted to his left and plucked a spectacular diving catch to send Arya packing for 2.
With the crowd still roaring, Siraj produced a delivery that was even better to dismiss Cooper Connolly on the very next ball (0.3 ov). Charging in for the hat-trick ball, Siraj landed a perfect good-length delivery that pitched around off and jagged back sharply off the seam. Connolly, caught on the crease while trying to drive on the up, was beaten by the inward movement. A stifled appeal from keeper Jos Buttler was upheld by umpire Ananthapadmanabhan. Despite a hopeful DRS review from PBKS, replays confirmed a faint inside edge. In the blink of an eye, Punjab Kings were reeling at 2/2, with Siraj boasting figures of 2 wickets for 0 runs in his first three legal deliveries.
Here’s the video:
How’s that for a start? 😮🔥
🎥 Mohd. Siraj comes steaming in to rattle #PBKS in the first over 👊
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/9vBsQTIV2x#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #GTvPBKS | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/6GXJb6bqSk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2026
Also READ: IPL 2026: Here’s why Rahul Tewatia is not playing against Punjab Kings in today’s match
Punjab Kings face deep trouble after losing early wickets against GT
The double-blow from Siraj acted as a catalyst for a sustained GT onslaught. Punjab’s top order, featuring heavyweights like skipper Shreyas Iyer, found no respite against a disciplined Gujarat bowling unit. By the time the Strategic Timeout was called at the 8.4-over mark, the scorecard painted a grim picture for the visitors: 47/5.
The middle-order collapse was clinical. Prabhsimran Singh (15 off 14) showed brief resistance before falling to the sheer pace of Kagiso Rabada, caught by Manav Suthar. The veteran Jason Holder then dismantled the remaining resistance, bowling Shreyas Iyer for a sluggish 19 and inducing an edge from Nehal Wadhera (0) through to Buttler.
With a projected score of just 128, PBKS find themselves in a massive hole. Siraj’s opening burst (3-0-20-2) and Holder’s economical spell (1.4-0-6-2) have effectively put Gujarat Titans in the driver’s seat in this crucial IPL 2026 encounter.
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
