In a spectacular display of batting prowess, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan orchestrated a record-equalling 210-run opening partnership, propelling Gujarat Titans to a commanding 35-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League match held in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Electing to field after winning the toss, Chennai’s decision backfired as the Gujarat openers unleashed an onslaught, guiding their team to a formidable total of 231-3. Despite a valiant effort, Chennai could only manage 196-8 in response.
Maintaining their fourth position on the table, Chennai Super Kings witnessed a setback, while Gujarat Titans, previously at the bottom, surged to eighth place, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the next phase alive mathematically.
Gill and Sudharsan wasted no time, swiftly accumulating 58 runs in the initial six overs. Sudharsan’s blistering century, comprising five fours and seven sixes off just 51 balls, was complemented by Gill’s 104 runs from 54 deliveries, adorned with nine fours and six sixes, as they decimated the Chennai bowlers.
Gill, awarded the player of the match, expressed, “We maximised every over and opportunity in front of us.”
Their formidable partnership matched the IPL record for the first wicket, previously set by KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock in 2022. Although falling short of the overall IPL record of 229 runs, established by Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in 2016, against the then-franchise Gujarat Lions, now succeeded by Gujarat Titans.
The partnership was broken in the 18th over by Tushar Deshpande, who claimed two wickets in his four-over spell, ending with figures of 2-33. Additionally, Shahrukh Khan was run out in the final over, being the only other wicket to fall for Gujarat.
Chennai’s chase began on a disastrous note, losing both openers within the first two overs. Despite a resilient effort from Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali, who stitched a crucial 109-run partnership, Chennai fell short of the target. Mohit Sharma’s pivotal spell of 3-31 dented Gujarat’s middle order, restricting them to 196-8.
In the end, contributions from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni helped Chennai post a competitive total, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the dominance displayed by Gujarat’s formidable opening pair.
