With a commanding 89-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad on Thursday, Gujarat Titans moved closer to a top-two spot in the Indian Premier League playoffs thanks to their bankable top order.
On a true batting surface, Gujarat Titans reached 229 for four thanks to a record seventh century partnership between Shubman Gill (64 off 37) and Sai Sudharsan (84 off 53).
In the second half of the innings, Jos Buttler (57 not out off 27) bolstered the total with a torrent of sixes and fours.
CSK lost the game in the powerplay after losing four wickets for 51 runs, despite having a tiny chance of qualifying for the play-offs coming into this crucial encounter. Following a six-filled cameo by Shivam Dube (47 off 17), the visitors were all out for 140 in 13.4 overs.
They did not qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Sanju Samson, who edged the opening delivery of the CSK innings, was one of three wickets taken by Mohammed Siraj in the first six overs. Samson received a slight tickle which went to Buttler after fishing at a wide delivery.
With an outstanding performance in the first six overs, the Titans’ bowling unit, which has undoubtedly been the finest in the competition, was reinforced. In addition to Siraj, Kagiso Rabada had Matthew Short at midfield on a ball that slightly seamed back in, making it difficult for the Australians to connect.
With nine victories in 14 games, or 18 points, the Titans concluded their successful stage campaign. If Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are currently on 18 points, tomorrow, they can also attain 18 points.
The top two teams from each of the four playoff groups will have two chances to advance to the May 31 final in Ahmedabad.
Earlier in the powerplay, Gill played with left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, showcasing excellent touch from ball one. Gill hit his fifty off 23 balls, while Sudharsan scored his fifth successive half-century off thirty-five balls. In their 125-run partnership off 74 balls, Gill scored the majority of the runs.
Gill’s batting prowess was demonstrated by the variety of boundaries he hit off a careless Johnson. To get the required effects, he combined minimal muscle with signature elegance.
Before the Indian star utilized his crease against the left-arm bowler to amass boundaries at will, he sliced off the Australian’s first delivery in one of his fours off Johnson. The most magnificent of them all was the straight drive in the same over.
Gill did not let Noor Ahmad settle when he was brought into the attack following a powerplay that produced 62 runs, slog sweeping him for a couple of sixes.
Soon after, the combination of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan and Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who have each created six century stands in the IPL, were surpassed by the 100-run partnership for the seventh time. The Titans easily reached 111 for no loss in 10 overs with little difficulty for either of the openers.
Sudharsan and Buttler kept up the same pace when Gill left, helping the Titans surpass 200. As usual, Sudharsan played with little risk. He hit a magnificent six off Anshul Kamboj’s wide low full toss over point in the last over.
Buttler was also in full swing, hitting up to four sixes, two of which came off Noor. In terms of runs, the 89-run loss is CSK’s largest IPL defeat.
