Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara showered praise on Washington Sundar after Gujarat Titans registered a comprehensive 82-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Tuesday in the ongoing IPL 2026.
On a tricky pitch, Sundar scored a fine knock of 50 runs off 33 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. The left-hander scored his runs at a strike rate of 151.52 and played a key role in helping Gujarat Titans post a fighting score of 168 runs on the board.
Pujara said Sundar is playing more as a batter in GT’s team after he delivered while batting at number five. Sundar has scored 296 runs in 12 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 42.29 and a strike rate of 152.57.
Cheteshwar Pujara said on JioHotstar, “A lot of runs have come from his bat this season. He is playing more as a batter, and his bowling isn’t being used much. His best shot was the six he hit off Malinga’s bowling. The yorker Malinga bowled, he converted it into a full toss and hit it for a six. It shows the player is in good form, especially the way he batted today (Tuesday). The pitch wasn’t easy.”
Pujara added that Sundar has resolved GT’s middle-order batting woes with his consistent performances.
“He has solved GT’s middle-order problems this season. He has played many such innings where he has taken the team to a respectable total and even won a match by hitting a six off the last ball in a chase. He has the composure and calmness, and has brought in huge improvement in his batting,” Pujara observed.
The former India’s number three Test batter, Pujara, added that Sundar has all the shots in his arsenal and plays according to the match situation.
“He has all the shots. He plays well behind the wickets, towards square leg, and above cover. He knows how to accelerate and can play the innings of an anchor as well. That’s a big advantage for him,” he noted.
With this win, GT were able to go to the top of the IPL standings.
