Sherfane Rutherford’s blistering knock gave Gujarat Titans hope, but his performance was not enough to prevent an 11-run loss to Punjab Kings in a high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Chasing a daunting 244 for victory, the Titans fell short at 232-5 despite Rutherford’s explosive 46 off 28 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes. The West Indies powerhouse shared a crucial 54-run third-wicket partnership with England’s Jos Buttler, who struck a fluent 54 from 33 balls with four boundaries and two maximums, but their efforts could not carry the Titans over the line.

The Kings’ imposing total of 243-5 was built on the back of a brilliant unbeaten 97 from captain Shreyas Iyer and a whirlwind 44 off just 16 deliveries from Shashank Singh. After losing Prabhsimran Singh early for five, Iyer took charge and anchored the innings as he punished the Titans’ bowlers.

Priyansh Arya provided early support with a quick-fire 47 off 23 balls, and their 51-run stand gifted the Kings the upper hand before Rashid Khan broke the partnership.

The Titans clawed their way back into the contest as Sai Kishore struck twice in quick succession, removing Azmatullah Omarzai (16) and Glenn Maxwell (zero) to leave the Kings wobbling at 105-4. But Iyer stood tall alongside Marcus Stoinis (20) in a 57-run partnership before Kishore removed the latter for his third wicket.

Still, Shashank Singh provided the late fireworks, as he blasted six fours and two sixes in his 44-run cameo, adding an unbeaten 81-run stand with Iyer, who smashed five fours and nine sixes in his 42-ball masterclass. Kishore finished with impressive figures of 3-30, but the Kings total loomed large.

In response, Gujarat got off to a steady start with captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan putting on 61 for the first wicket. Gill dazzled with a 14-ball 33, which featured two fours and three sixes before he fell to Maxwell. Sudharsan continued the charge with his 74 off 41 balls, as he peppered the boundaries with five fours and six maximums, before Arshdeep Singh struck to break an 84-run stand with Buttler.

With the Titans still in control at 145-2, Rutherford entered the fray and wasted no time asserting himself. The left-hander played some breathtaking shots, including a monstrous six over midwicket, as he and Buttler looked poised to take the game deep. But when Buttler was bowled by Marco Jansen with the score at 199-3, the momentum began to shift.

Rutherford continued to fight, but his dismissal in the final over—bowled by Arshdeep three balls after Rahul Tewatia was run out—sealed the Titans’ fate.

Arshdeep finished as the Kings' best bowler with 2-36.