Prasidh Krishna’s spell proved to be the defining moment in Gujarat Titans’ clash against Punjab Kings in IPL 2026 as the pacer turned a comfortable chase into a tight contest in Mullanpur. Introduced in the 13th game, Prasidh used the rain-affected surface to create slip and bounce, unsettling PBKS. His burst triggered a collapse at the crucial stage, shifted the momentum and briefly put Gujarat Titans back in control of a game that seemed to be gone.
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The Punjab Kings were cruising at 110 for 2 when Prasidh struck, with the chase of 163 well under control. Conditions changed slightly with light showers and the water level started to slow. Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has turned to Prasidha, relying on his ability to hit the deck hard and pounce on the batsmen. The move paid off immediately as the rhythm of the chase was disrupted.
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SKIDDY SPELL TURN THE GAME ON
Prasidh’s impact was immediate. Shreyas Iyer, trying to stabilize the innings after a brief injury scarepicked the ball up to score but couldn’t hold onto it and made a simple catch in the deep. The release opened the door and Prasidh quickly burst through it.
He followed it up by extracting the extra bounce to dismiss Shashank Singh, forcing a careful edge on the keeper. Marcus Stoinis then fell while attempting a counter-attack, only to pick out a fielder in the deep. Within a short period of time, the position of Punjab went from control to uncertainty.
From 110 for 2, PBKS collapsed into a collapse that gave Gujarat Titans a way back into the contest. The earlier fluidity disappeared as the batsmen were forced to rethink their approach on a surface that was no longer straight.
PRESSURE LATE
What stood out in Prasidh’s charm was his control. He mixed his lengths effectively, used slower balls into the surface and forced the batsmen to generate power rather than rely on timing. On a pitch affected by humidity, this approach proved crucial.
Even in later overs, the pressure he created persisted. Cooper Connolly, who eventually anchored the chasehe had to carefully manage the situation rather than control it. Every boundary was fraught with risk and every run felt significant.
Gill later explained that the decision to detain Prasidh was deliberate given the slowing conditions. The execution lived up to the plan as Prasidh’s spell ensured Gujarat stayed in the game deep into the chase.
The Punjab Kings eventually crossed the line but the nature of the match had changed. What looked like a routine chase turned into a nervy finish shaped in large part by one decisive spell.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
01 April 2026 08:01 IST
