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New Delhi: Gujarat Titans not playing at their optimum level yet managing to beat Punjab Kings is the key takeaway, all-rounder Jason Holder said of their win in an IPL 2026 clash on Sunday.

The West Indian claimed a four-wicket haul to be adjudged the man of the match but was more pleased as their win was as a result of an united team effort rather than individual performance.

“The beauty about how we’ve been playing is that, it’s not one individual performing every single day. There are different players stepping up on different days,” Holder said after GT’s four-wicket win in Ahmedabad.

“So I think we still arguably haven’t played our best game yet but you know, the beauty about that is that we’re still getting the two points necessary each time we cross the line.”‘

‘Build momentum’

GT chased down a target of 164 in the penultimate ball of the match, which didn’t help their net run rate as they remained fifth in the standings but the two points helped them move to 12 points, at par with three teams behind Punjab, ho continued to lead with 13 points from nine matches.

“Look, I think the first priority is always to win the game. If we find ourselves in a position where conditions are favourable that we could think about net run-rate. I think we’ll do that,” he said.

“But I think the first priority is to accumulate the two points every single time we play and build our momentum. We’re on a bit of a roll in terms of three back-to-back wins now.

“So it’s just a matter for us just to stay consistent. I think the run rate and these kind of things will take care of itself.”

Holder has been in good form with the ball, getting seven wickets in four matches but also took the opportunity to praise his tea-mate pacers Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj for consistent wicket-taking ability in the Powerplay, pointing out that not many pace duo would bowl three overs each within the first six overs.

“Credit to both KG and Siraj. I think they’ve been outstanding this entire competition. You know, they’ve led the powerplay, I think, in this entire competition. And they’ve made it difficult for the opposition. You know, that speaks volumes for their class,” Holder said.

“I mean, very rarely have I seen two bowlers, you know, bowling three overs back-to-back in a Powerplay. So it says a lot about their calibre and their quality.

“I think when they start, you know, they set the tone in terms of what length works on a particular wicket. And then, you know, it’s just a matter for all the other bowlers to follow,” he added.