TATA IPL 2024: Gill, Sudharsan Lead GT to Vital 35-Run Win Over CSK, Playoff Hopes Alive
Captain Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan launched a remarkable attack on the Chennai Super Kings' bowling lineup, both scoring centuries, propelling Gujarat Titans to a convincing 35-run victory over Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Forced to bat first on a benign pitch, Gill hammered nine fours and six sixes, boasting a strike rate of 189.09 to reach 104, securing his fourth IPL century in Ahmedabad. Gill and Sudarshan formed a formidable 210-run opening alliance, matching the record for the highest opening partnership, previously set by Quinton de Kock and K.L. Rahul, who amassed precisely 210 runs for the first wicket against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2.
In reply, CSK lost three wickets in the first three overs of the chase, which set them back in a tall chase. Despite a 109-run stand between Daryl Mitchell (63) and Moeen Ali (56), CSK ended up reaching 196/8 in their 20 overs. Gill made his intentions clear from the opening over by square-driving and lofting Mitchell Santner for four and six respectively in the opening over. Sudharsan greeted Shardul Thakur with a lofted six, before swiping Tushar Deshpande for another maximum.
Sudarshan overcame a slow start, but he pulled and slog-swept off Ravindra Jadeja to get his fifty in 32 balls. Gill got his fifty in just 25 balls by heaving Simarjeet Singh for a six and then slammed a strong bottom-handed four straight past the pacer for four more in a 23-run 11th over, where Sudarshan also carted him for consecutive sixes.
Such was the effect of the carnage from Gill and Sudarshan that CSK had to bring in Daryl Mitchell to bowl. Much to his and CSK’s agony, Gill was dropped by long-off on 72, who parried the ball over the boundary for six in the 14th over. From there, some jaw-dropping stroke play saw Gill get to his hundred off 50 balls with a four past square-leg off Simarjeet.
CSK kept GT quiet in the remainder of the death overs to give away just 41 runs off the last five overs.cCSK’s chase had a less-than-ideal start as David Miller nailed a direct hit to run out Rachin Ravindra in the opening over. Sandeep Warrier, coming in as an Impact Player for B Sai Sudharsan, drew a leading edge from Ajinkya Rahane, which was taken by mid-off.
Mitchell started by scoring 20 runs off nine deliveries from Warrier, comprising two sixes and a four. He followed up with three fours against Kartik Tyagi in the eighth over. Meanwhile, Moeen provided valuable support by finding boundaries off Umesh Yadav, Warrier, and Tyagi. Once Mitchell reached his half-century, Moeen unleashed three consecutive sixes against Noor Ahmad. Mitchell continued the assault by hitting a four and a six off Rashid, but his innings concluded at 63 off 34 balls when he mistimed a lofted shot to long-off against Mohit.
In the following over, Mohit claimed Moeen's wicket as he was caught in the deep for 56, denting CSK's chase. Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja managed to strike five boundaries collectively before both succumbed to Mohit and Rashid in rapid succession. Despite MS Dhoni captivating the crowd with three sixes and a four, CSK couldn't secure a victory on a day dominated by the outstanding performances of Gill and Sudharsan under the Ahmedabad sky.
