Gujarat Titans have set the pace benchmark this season with the pacer using the short ball topping the charts for most wickets in IPL 2026. GT’s 29 wickets are comfortably ahead of the rest, which highlights how effectively their quickies use bounce and hard length to trouble the batsmen.
Most wickets for pacers (short ball) – IPL 2026
- 29 – Gujarat Titans
- 19 –
Kolkata Knight Riders - 16 –
rajasthan royals - 15 – Royal Challengers Bangalore
- 13 – Sunrisers Hyderabad
- 11 –
chennai super kings
They again showed dominance against Kings XI Punjab, with Mohammad Siraj’s pace trio, Jason Holder Kagiso Rabada disrupted the top order with his ruthless short-pitch bowling. Siraj immediately set the tone as he struck twice in the opening over to send PBKS into a panic. Rabada’s raw pace added to the pressure, while Holder bowled brilliantly with 4/24, GT’s best bowling figures against Kings XI Punjab. PBKS were in complete trouble with 47 runs from five games in nine overs. Despite a fighting performance of 57 from Suryansh Shedge and a crucial 79-run stand with Marcus Stoinis (40), the damage had been done. Shechi showed composure under pressure, combining caution with calculated attack as he scored 26 points in a brutal game against Manav Souttar. But just as PBKS looked to rebuild, Rabada struck again and removed him, dashing hopes of a full recovery. GT’s ever-increasing pace ensured that PBKS could never fully regain control. A couple of late hits from Marco Jansen lifted the nine-team total to 163, but it still felt below par considering the early collapse. The Gujarat Titans’ fast bowlers executed the plan perfectly, especially the short ball, and they not only won the match but redefined how pace determines matches in IPL 2026.
