In IPL 2026, the Gujarat Titans are rewriting the pace playbook, and no other team comes close. Their fast bowlers have stormed to the top of a unique record—most wickets taken with short-pitched deliveries. With 29 scalps from short balls, GT have left the competition in the dust, proving that bounce and hard lengths are their ultimate weapons.

This dominance was on full display against the Punjab Kings. The pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder, and Kagiso Rabada tore through the top order with relentless short-pitched bowling. Siraj set the tone in the very first over, claiming two quick wickets and leaving PBKS shell-shocked. Rabada's raw pace kept the pressure on, while Holder delivered the knockout punch with a stunning 4/24—the best bowling figures for GT against the Kings.

Inside nine overs, PBKS were reeling at 47 for five. A fighting 57 from Suryansh Shedge and a crucial 79-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis (40) offered a glimmer of hope. Shedge showed grit, mixing caution with aggression—highlighted by a brutal 26-run over against Manav Suthar. But just as PBKS looked to rebuild, Rabada struck again to remove him, crushing any comeback dreams.

GT's pacers kept chipping away, ensuring PBKS never regained control. A few late blows from Marco Jansen pushed the total to 163 for nine, but it felt well below par after that early collapse. With their fast bowlers executing the short-ball plan to perfection, the Gujarat Titans aren't just winning matches—they're redefining how pace can dictate games in IPL 2026.