Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals by 77 runs on Saturday in an Indian Premier League game in Jaipur thanks to a speedy 84 from captain Shubman Gill and a superb 55 from Sai Sudharsan.
With the victory, GT climbed to the second spot in the points table strengthening their playoff chances.
After being asked into bat, GT posted 229/4, Gill and Sudharsan combined for 118 runs for the first wicket.
Washington Sundar (37 not out off 20 balls) had a strong hand for GT in the end. The best bowler for RR was right-arm medium pacer Brijesh Sharma (2/47), while Ravindra Jadeja (1/34) and Yash Raj Punja (1/37) also claimed a wicket.
Afghanistan’s top spinner, Rashid Khan, returned with outstanding figures of 4/33 to steal the show in defending the total. Jason Holder (3/12) and Kagiso Rabada (2/33) also performed admirably, helping the winners limit RR to 152 in 16.3 overs.
Gill’s performance, which featured nine fours and three sixes, was a masterclass in timing and strokeplay as he combined aggression and grace despite momentarily experiencing left foot pain before hitting his fourth IPL fifty of the year.
After the hosts chose to bowl on a level pitch, the Gujarat Titans captain and Sudharsan tore into the Rajasthan attack, sharing a commanding 118-run opening stand. Sudharsan maintained his productive season with a stroke-filled 30-ball fifty.
Gill and Jason Holder were removed in the back end by Brijesh Sharma (2/47), but Washington Sundar (37 not out; 20 balls, 2x4s, 3x6s) and Rahul Tewatia (14 not out; 4 balls) were the finishers, smashing two sixes in a final over of 21 runs to propel GT to their highest total of the season.
Jofra Archer had a rough start, giving up 18 runs in the first over, including five extras, while Sudharsan took advantage of his inconsistent lines to give up 46 runs in his three overs, prolonging their suffering.
Gill settled comfortably before switching gears with a variety of powerful strokes as left-hander Sudharsan frequently punctured the off-side field. In just nine overs, GT reached 108 without a loss before Rajasthan used spin in the middle phase to slow things down.
In the 11th over, Yash Raj Punia (1/37) eventually made the breakthrough by dismissing Sudharsan and ended the formidable opening partnership. Despite needing to be treated by the physiotherapist in the ninth over after seemingly hurting his left foot, Gill persisted unflinching. He quickly reached his fifty and continued to confidently attack the spinners.
Then, in an attempt to keep the momentum going, Jos Buttler added to Rajasthan’s difficulties with a quick 13 off 10 balls before falling.
During his brilliant innings, Gill escaped two opportunities. In a 17-run over on 54, Shimron Hetmyer spilled a chance at deep midwicket from Ravindra Jadeja. The ball deflected over the ropes for six. Then, when Gill was on 61, Hetmyer put down another challenging running opportunity.
By dancing down the track against Punia, using a reverse scoop, and repeatedly piercing the infield with accuracy, the GT captain made the Royals pay right away.
Earlier in his second spell, Gill had similarly destroyed Archer by slashing him through covers, lofting him over mid-off, and then powerfully driving right back past the bowler.
Gill’s genius made sure Gujarat never lost control of the innings, even though Rajasthan’s spinners, led by Jadeja (1/34), were able to stop the flow of runs for a short while.
