“Done Well to Avoid That”: Washington Sundar Explains Gujarat Titans' Winning Formula

Gujarat Titans continued their late-season surge in IPL 2026 after crushing Sunrisers Hyderabad by 82 runs in Ahmedabad to move to the top of the points table.

The victory marked GT's fifth consecutive win of the season and further strengthened their push towards a top-two finish heading into the playoffs race.

Following the match, Gujarat Titans all-rounder Washington Sundar praised the team's consistency throughout the campaign while also highlighting the importance of maintaining clarity during the business end of the tournament.

Washington Sundar reflects on Gujarat Titans winning momentum

Speaking on Star Sports' 'Amul Cricket Live' with mandatory credit to JioStar, Sundar admitted sustaining momentum in a long IPL season is often one of the biggest challenges for successful teams.

"It means a lot. This season has been extremely competitive, with every team coming hard at us. To win five games on the trot speaks volumes about the consistency we've shown as a unit."

The all-rounder also stressed how Gujarat Titans have avoided overcomplicating their approach despite entering a crucial stage of the season.

"At the same time, sticking to what has worked for us is also a challenge. You can sometimes lose rhythm by trying to do too many things, but I think we've done well to avoid that. A lot of credit has to go to the team for maintaining that clarity and consistency."

Sai Sudharsan-Washington Sundar partnership stabilised GT innings

After early pressure from SRH's bowlers on a difficult Ahmedabad surface, Sundar played a key supporting role alongside Sai Sudharsan during a crucial middle-over partnership.

While Sudharsan continued his outstanding IPL 2026 form with another half-century, Sundar adapted his innings to the conditions and helped Gujarat Titans rebuild towards a competitive total.

Reflecting on batting alongside Sudharsan, Sundar said communication remained central to the partnership.

"It's always enjoyable batting with Sai because we constantly communicate in the middle."

He also explained how the pair adjusted to the pitch conditions during the innings.

"It was important for me to understand both the situation and the nature of the wicket, especially since it was doing a bit more than usual. Early on, I wasn't finding boundaries, while Sai was able to get them without taking many risks. That balance really helped both of us and allowed the partnership to settle in nicely."

Kagiso Rabada hailed after destructive spell vs SRH

While GT's batting gave them a defendable total, it was Kagiso Rabada's fiery new-ball spell that completely destroyed Sunrisers Hyderabad during the powerplay.

The South African pacer removed Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Ravichandran Smaran to leave SRH struggling at 34/4 after six overs.

Speaking on Star Sports' 'Amul Cricket Live' with mandatory credit to JioStar, former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim praised Rabada's tactical execution and leadership within Gujarat Titans' pace attack.

"With the kind of form he is in, Rabada has become the leader of this GT pace attack."

Karim particularly highlighted how Rabada planned his dismissals against aggressive SRH batters.

"The way he planned Abhishek Sharma's wicket was wonderful to watch. Even against Ishan Kishan, who looked solid whenever the ball was pitched in his zone, Rabada smartly kept the ball short and away from him to force the mistake."

Karim also explained how Rabada's intensity influences Gujarat's entire bowling unit.

"Overall, he sets the tone for the rest of the bowlers. He is the one who leads the bowling plans, and the others follow his lead."

Gujarat Titans now firmly among IPL 2026 title favourites

After an inconsistent phase earlier in the season, Gujarat Titans now appear to be peaking at exactly the right time.

Their top order remains among the most stable batting units in the league, while the bowling attack suddenly looks significantly more balanced following Rabada's return to rhythm and Rashid Khan's improving form.

Despite moving to the top of the points table, Sundar insisted the squad remains focused on staying grounded through the final phase of the tournament.

"It's extremely important for us to stay present and understand what has worked well for us so far. We've been playing some really good cricket, but there's still a long way to go in the tournament."

He ended by making GT's ambitions clear. "Hopefully, we can continue this momentum and eventually go on to win the championship."