Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara praised Kagiso Rabada for his strategic bowling adjustments against Abhishek Sharma, terming it as top-notch bowling after Gujarat Titans’ dominant 82-run triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Rabada shone once more with the ball, claiming 3/28 in four overs as SRH were bundled out for 86 while chasing 168. With 21 wickets in IPL 2026, the South African pacer continues to be instrumental in GT’s climb to the top of the points table.
Pujara highlighted Rabada’s astute reading of Abhishek Sharma’s movements, commending the bowler’s adaptability. He noted Rabada’s line adjustment, which led to Sharma’s dismissal due to a smart tactical move, describing it as exceptional bowling.
Rabada’s impactful spell followed an early blow by Mohammed Siraj, who sent Travis Head back for a duck in the first over. Rabada’s quick strikes, including Sharma and Ishan Kishan’s dismissals, put Hyderabad in a precarious position during the powerplay.
Pujara also observed the Ahmedabad pitch offering extra bounce and pace, contributing to the challenges faced by the batters. He pointed out the significant bounce that caught Abhishek Sharma off guard, emphasizing the wicket’s lively nature.
Following Rabada’s impressive performance, Jason Holder further stifled SRH’s hopes with figures of 3/20, while Prasidh Krishna chipped in with two crucial wickets. Earlier, solid fifties from Sai Sudharsan (61) and Washington Sundar (50) propelled Gujarat Titans to 168/5 in 20 overs, a total that proved insurmountable for the visitors on a testing pitch.
