Match overview
Gujarat Titans beat Punjab Kings by 3 wickets at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on 21 April 2024. Punjab Kings, having won the toss and opted to bat, were restricted to 142 all out. A brilliant 4/33 from R Sai Kishore in the middle overs dismantled their innings after a bright start. Gujarat Titans then chased with more anxiety than the target suggested necessary, losing 7 wickets before crossing the line at 146/7. Sai Kishore was named Player of the Match.
Punjab's powerplay of 56/1 was exactly in line with the venue's average and suggested a competitive total was in reach. Five wickets fell between overs 7 and 15 for just 41 runs, killing the innings. The death overs delivered 45 runs but at the cost of four more wickets, leaving 142 as the final score, well below the ground's average first-innings total of 175.
For Gujarat, the middle overs were where they built the chase, scoring 57 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in that phase. Three late wickets in the death left nerves jangling, but they got over the line. It was Gujarat's third win against Punjab in their seven-meeting IPL rivalry, trimming Punjab's overall lead to 4-3.
Venue and conditions
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is a relatively new IPL venue, with 14 T20 matches on record. The average first-innings score of 175 indicates the surface is generally batter-friendly, yet this match produced a total well short of that benchmark, suggesting either conditions on the day or Sai Kishore's bowling tilted the balance. The powerplay average of 56 runs is among the more generous in the IPL, which explains why Punjab's aggressive approach at the top of the innings made sense.
The toss carries meaningful influence at this ground. Teams winning the toss have chosen to field on 71% of occasions, reflecting a widely held view that chasing suits the surface, particularly once dew settles in evening fixtures. With chase success sitting at exactly 50% across 14 matches, though, the data suggests neither strategy is dominant. The death overs average of 42 runs per innings points to competitive conditions in the final phase, with both sides managing 45 runs in those overs in this particular match.
How to watch
IPL fixtures are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with live streaming available through Sky Go and NOW TV for subscribers. Evening matches in India typically start at 19:30 IST, which translates to 14:00 BST, making them accessible for afternoon viewing in the UK without the need for late-night scheduling. Afternoon matches at 15:30 IST would fall at 10:00 BST. Check the Sky Sports app or website for confirmed broadcast slots for each fixture.
Recent form
Punjab Kings arrived at this match in poor shape, having lost four of their previous five games in the 2024 IPL season. Their only victory in that run was also against Gujarat Titans, which underlined both the rivalry's competitiveness and Punjab's inconsistency more broadly. Defeats to Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants had put significant pressure on their campaign before this fixture.
Gujarat Titans' recent form was only marginally better. They had won two and lost two of their preceding four matches, beating Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad whilst falling to Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants. Both sides came into this game needing a result, which gave the low-scoring contest extra edge. Gujarat's ability to grind out a chase under pressure, despite losing 7 wickets, spoke to a squad depth that Punjab were unable to match on the day.
