Gujarat Titans end cautious chases with early assault in IPL 2026

Gujarat Titans chased 156 in 15.4 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 30, 2026, their fastest such chase in IPL history.

Joy for Titans fans For followers of the Gujarat Titans (GT), hearing Jos Buttler’s words about breaking the back of a middling chase early would likely bring tears of happiness. GT typically excel in Test-match style batting during T20 matches, avoiding risks until absolutely necessary. Their approach to chases between 150 and 170 runs has always been practical rather than aggressive, making this recent shift noteworthy. ## Historic chase on last day of April On April 30, 2026, GT changed their usual tactics by not worrying about falling wickets and consolidating briefly. For the first time in their four-and-a-half-year history, they chased down a target between 150 and 170 without needing to bat through the death overs. Their bowlers have consistently provided batters with manageable targets, a strategy that has paid dividends. ## Gill and Buttler lead the charge Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler spearheaded the chase with aggressive innings of 43 off 19 balls and 39 off 19 balls respectively. This was a departure from their usual cautious approach, as even one of their top three batters had scored 30 runs or more at a strike rate over 200 only once before in 11 such chases. Their performance lifted GT’s net run rate (NRR) from -0.475 to -0.192 after completing the chase in 15.4 overs. ## NRR boost after two wins A second consecutive win for GT often leads to discussions about net run rate, signaling their improved form. Their bowlers frequently set up chases under 170, a strategy reminiscent of Chennai Super Kings’ prime era. Since GT’s IPL debut in 2022, they have successfully chased 150-170 totals ten times, twice the average in a ten-team tournament. Among 19 failures to chase such scores, only one belongs to GT. ## Ruthless but calculated batting GT’s batters are the most efficient in converting chases under 170, though their scoring rate of 9.97 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was only the eighth-highest in such chases since 2022. Their highest run rate in these chases remains 9.97, achieved against RCB in April 2026. The team has yet to cross ten runs per over in these mid-range chases. Their recent approach suggests a willingness to take calculated risks when chasing middling targets. ## Middle order struggle and recovery Washington Sundar and Shahrukh Khan struggled early, but Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, and Rashid Khan stepped up to accelerate the chase. The team’s focus appeared to be on securing both the win and an NRR boost, taking risks that paid off. This chase might reassure GT that even if their lower order underperforms, the all-rounders can step in without much pressure. GT finished at 158 for 6 in 15.5 overs, a more beneficial outcome than holding nine wickets and nine balls in hand. ## Middle order's role in success Abhinav Mukund commented on the middle order’s lack of runs, stating, "Today was an excellent chance for Shahrukh to stand up." The team’s record of 10 successful chases under 170 highlights the importance of their bowlers in setting up winnable targets. This pattern mirrors how Chennai Super Kings used to operate, relying on bowlers to restrict scores and batters to chase under-par totals. However, such chases are becoming rarer as pitches flatten and impact players reduce the effectiveness of wicket-taking strategies. ## Learning to adapt quickly GT’s last two chases under 170 have been their fastest ever, with 20 balls remaining against Chennai Super Kings in their previous game and now 25 balls left against RCB. If their bowlers continue to restrict runs and batters embrace more aggressive approaches, GT could be setting a trend for IPL 2026. The team’s ability to adapt to evolving scoring rates while maintaining their core strengths may define their campaign this year.