There is a reason why Punjab Kings have looked like one of the most dangerous batting units in IPL 2026. Their front four of Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly and Shreyas Iyer have made a habit of taking away games within the powerplay itself.
We saw this high-end version recently. A 126-run opening stand between Priyansh and Prabhsimran set up a fearless 265 chase against Delhi Capitals. This is a template. Start fast, stay ahead, the rest will be easy.
GT vs PBKS: MAIN DATA | SCORECARD
But cricket rarely sticks to the script for too long.
Against Gujarat Titans, the whole structure collapsed early. No rhythm, no platform, just pressure from ball one. And in the midst of it was Mohammed Siraj, who not only struck early but broke the game open before Punjab could even settle.
HOW SIRAJ SOON BURNT PUNJAB
Siraj took no time to warm up to the game. It came on.
Second ball of the innings, first breakthrough. Priyansh Arya, usually the one to dictate terms, went hard wide but didn’t get hold of it. At deep backward point, Nishant Sindhu dived low to the left and held on. Premature damage.
What came next hurt even more.
Cooper Connolly walked in and went back in the space of one ball. A sharp delivery came back, took an inside edge and settled safely in Jose Buttler’s gloves. The review only delayed the result.
Three balls, two goals. The entire plan of the Punjab Supreme Order was canceled before it could even begin.
By the time the over ended, the tone of the innings had already shifted. Yes, Shreyas Iyer managed a boundary off the penultimate ball, but the damage was done. Punjab never fully recovered, crawling out for 35 in the over, rather than dictating terms as usual.
Add in the pressure of Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder and suddenly the most explosive top order of the season looked stuck.
GUJARAT NEEDS MORE SIRAJ
There’s a reason why this spell doesn’t just matter in one game.
After their win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rashid Khan spoke about the need for the bowlers to take more responsibility. GT doesn’t have quite the same explosive mid-order firepower as some other teams, so their edge often starts with the ball.
This is where Siraj fits in.
Going into this game, Punjab were exactly the kind of side that could push the totals into the 190-200 range or even further if it allowed to get started. Instead, Siraj closed the door early. No momentum, no freedom, no platform.
He now has 11 goals in 10 games this season. Solid numbers, but feel like there’s another level he can hit.
GT have quietly built a three-game winning streak but are still outside the top four. There are four league games left and they don’t just need to win, they need to be in that kind of control.
And if Siraj keeps turning up like he did here, hitting hard lengths, moving the ball and attacking early, Gujarat won’t just compete. They dictate.
Because, as Punjab discovered, once their top-order is gone, the rest of the game suddenly looks completely different.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
04 May 2026 08:37 IST
