Suryansh Shedge Reacts After PBKS Loss To GT: ‘We Had Enough On The Board’ In IPL 2026

Punjab Kings may have slipped to a narrow four-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans, but the mood in the camp remained far from deflated - and Suryansh Shedge was at the centre of that belief.

On a tricky, two-paced surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Punjab Kings posted 163 - a total that looked competitive for most parts of the game before Gujarat chased it down with a ball to spare. While the result didn't go their way, the performance, particularly with both bat and ball, offered enough encouragement for the table-toppers to take forward.

Shedge's innings was the standout. His 57 off just 29 deliveries came at a strike rate nearing 200, but more importantly, it was shaped by awareness of conditions rather than blind aggression. On a pitch where variable bounce made stroke-making difficult, he adapted quickly and paced his innings with control before accelerating.

"I wouldn't say I was waiting, I was preparing," Shedge said after the match. "The time on the sidelines benefitted me and it gave me the opportunity to prepare physically and mentally. Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer have consistently told me the same thing too: when the opportunity arrives, you must be ready to take it with both hands. That is what I tried to do today."

His approach reflected a clear reading of the surface - one that didn't allow for reckless hitting early on.

"My only intention was to spend as much time at the crease as possible, and I think that made things easier as I progressed through the innings," he explained. "On such wickets, a batter has to take time to settle before playing expansive shots. Targeting 240 or 250 on this track was never realistic, the double-paced surface simply did not allow it."

Despite falling short, Shedge believed Punjab had enough on the board to compete.

"Perhaps we could have scored 20 to 25 more runs, but I still believe 163 was a fighting total. We gave everything we had, and there are many positives to take from this game."

That fight was evident with the ball as well. Arshdeep Singh kept things tight through his spell, conceding just 24 runs in four overs while picking up two wickets, while Vijaykumar Vyshak made crucial breakthroughs, including the wickets of Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan.

Shedge highlighted the tactical clarity behind Vyshak's impact, pointing to in-game communication from the support staff. "Just before the powerplay ended, our bowling coach sent a message to Vyshak to bowl at that hard length, and you could see how well he bowled after receiving that message."

For Punjab Kings, the loss does little to dent their position at the top of the table, but it does offer a timely reminder of the fine margins that define this stage of the tournament. With an away clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad up next, the focus will now shift to converting these positives into results - something Shedge and PBKS seem confident of doing.