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The Gujarat Titans continued their brilliant run of form in IPL 2026 by winning the match against Punjab Kings by 4 wickets at Narendra Modi Stadium. After the conclusion of the match, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, applauded the well-thought out team planning and strategy labeling it as "tactical genius" and "all other teams should be following this".

According to Ashwin, the successful performance of Gujarat Titans is attributed to the confidence they have in their young players and the defined roles given to them. He stated that while introducing a debutant like Nishant Sindhu, the team ensures the development of young talent by providing adequate support and planning.

Ashwin said:

"Getting the two points on the board is definitely something Gujarat would pay anything for, and Washington got it done today, and I quite like how they're going about it. Nishant Sindhu, a very talented youngster, backing him, a left hander. I think, Gujarat are backing their youngsters, giving them sound roles, sound plans, great practice. They're repaying the faith," 

Ashwin noted how the Gujarat Titans took initiative on pitches and conditions that suit the team. It was obvious that, due to their reliance on the less power-packed batting, they have been using the slower wickets in their favor really well. According to Ashwin, it was a job well done which we don't normally notice but is very important for winning games.

He added:

"And it's a team that's getting the job done. Like Mitch said, it's not just about Sai Sudharsan not being fed with the areas that he's strong in. I think they're also tailoring conditions that are suiting Gujarat Titans, and that's a tactical genius that is going to be very underrated," 

Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan echoed Ashwin's sentiments and suggested that this strategy can be replicated by other teams especially when they are set to face Punjab Kings. He proposed creating more seamer-friendly wickets to achieve optimal results.

He Concluded :

"And I guess, this is probably the blueprint for every other team that has Punjab come to their home ground. You just make sure it's green. It's got something in a little bit extra bounce, a little bit of lateral movement, and you see the results that you're gonna get to know,"

Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan scored a well measured 57 and anchored Gujarat Titans chase of 164 on a tricky wicket as he paired well with Buttler to stitch up a vital partnership after a couple of early wickets fell.

It was the Gujarat bowling attack that laid the platform in the earlier half with Siraj and Holder taking wickets in tandem to ensure that the Punjab Kings ended up with 47 for the loss of 5. Holder stood out as a performer as he ran through the batters with figures of 4 wickets to show for it.

A spirited comeback from Punjab Kings came through Suryansh Shedge's brilliant 57 and the partnership with Marcus Stoinis but Gujarat Titans never really looked back in the chase.

It was Washington Sundar that eventually ended the contest and two valuable points for the Gujarat Titans.