AHMEDABAD, MAY 21 (PTI): Gujarat Titans delivered a commanding performance to knock Chennai Super Kings out of the Indian Premier League play-off race with a thumping 89-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday. The win, their ninth in 14 matches, lifted Titans to 18 points and placed them firmly in contention for a top-two finish, which guarantees two chances to reach the final scheduled in Ahmedabad on May 31.
The Titans’ batting was anchored by their prolific opening duo, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who stitched together a record seventh century partnership in the IPL. Gill, in sublime touch from the outset, toyed with left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, racing to his fifty in just 23 balls with a mix of elegant cuts, drives, and sweeps. Sudharsan, steady yet fluent, reached his milestone off 35 balls, marking his fifth consecutive half-century.
Their 125-run stand off 74 balls surpassed the previous best tallies of Warner-Dhawan and Head-Sharma, underlining their consistency as the most reliable opening pair this season. Gill’s straight drive off Johnson and slog sweeps against Noor Ahmad stood out as strokes of sheer class.
After Gill’s dismissal, Sudharsan continued to anchor the innings while Jos Buttler exploded in the latter half. Buttler’s unbeaten 57 off 27 balls featured four towering sixes, two of which came off Noor Ahmad, and a flurry of boundaries that propelled Titans to 229 for four. Sudharsan too showcased his ability to find gaps with minimal risk, including a spectacular six over point off Anshul Kamboj in the penultimate over.
Chennai’s slim hopes of advancing were dashed in the powerplay as they crumbled to 51 for four. Mohammed Siraj struck with the very first ball, dismissing Sanju Samson, while Kagiso Rabada accounted for Matthew Short. Titans’ bowling unit, widely regarded as the best in the tournament, reinforced their reputation with relentless accuracy in the first six overs.
Despite a spirited cameo from Shivam Dube (47 off 17), CSK folded for 140 in 13.4 overs. The defeat confirmed their elimination, marking the third consecutive season where the five-time champions failed to make the play-offs.
With Titans securing 18 points, they joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are already on the same tally. Sunrisers Hyderabad too can reach 18 points if they overcome Bengaluru in their final league clash. The battle for the top two spots remains intense, with Titans’ superior net run rate giving them a strong edge.
The emphatic win not only showcased Titans’ batting depth but also reaffirmed their bowling strength, making them one of the most balanced sides heading into the play-offs. Their ability to dominate both with bat and ball has made them prime contenders for the title as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans: 229 for 4 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 84, Shubman Gill 64, Jos Buttler 57 not out, Spencer Johnson 1/47).
Chennai Super Kings: 140 all out in 13.4 overs (Shivam Dube 47; Rashid Khan 3/18, Mohammed Siraj 3/26, Kagiso Rabada 3/32).
