A year ago at Ahmedabad, the Chennai Super Kings defeated Gujarat Titans in a thrilling IPL final. Sai Sudharsan’s 96 off 47 balls went in vain that day. However, this time, the young left-hander’s maiden IPL century – 103 (51b, 5×4, 7×6) – was not in vain. GT skipper Shubman Gill also scored a century of his own – 104 (55b, 9×4,6×6) – to set up a 35-run win and level the rivalry between the two teams.
Gill and Sudharsan paced their innings well, scoring at a rate of 10 runs per over in the Powerplay without taking any risks. They played a variety of eye-catching strokes to keep the CSK bowlers at bay. Gill used his nimble footwork against spin, while Sudharsan played some impressive back-foot shots against pace.
CSK tried to apply the brakes by bowling with old-fashioned length and variations, but Gill and Sudharsan continued to score runs. Shardul Thakur’s three-run fifth over and Daryl Mitchell’s seven-run eighth over were examples of CSK’s attempts to slow down the scoring rate.
However, GT stuck to their method and gradually increased the tempo of their innings. Gill and Sudharsan both reached their fifties at the start of the 11th over, and by the time they scored their respective hundreds in the 16th over, GT had reached 209.
Simarjeet Singh’s inexperience showed when he lost his line and length in the 11th over and conceded 23 runs. Gill then launched an assault on Mitchell, hitting three sixes to different parts of the ground. He could have been caught on one of those occasions, but Tushar Deshpande grassed the opportunity, leaving Mitchell frustrated.
When Gill brought up his first hundred of the tournament, he celebrated with more animation than usual, pumping his fists and releasing the pent-up frustration of a run of poor scores that may have cost him a World Cup berth.
Sudharsan, who had been in good touch for a few matches, celebrated his first IPL hundred with a more subdued approach. However, his innings had played a crucial role in setting up GT’s victory.
Without Pathirana, Mustafizur, and Deepak Chahar, CSK still had nine bowling options, but none of them were able to make a significant impact. Only Shardul (4-0-25-0) and Deshpande (4-0-33-2) were able to contain the GT batters.
After Gill and Sudharsan departed, completing the joint highest opening partnership in the IPL (210 runs), GT couldn’t provide the finishing kick. They could only manage 41 runs in the final five overs, setting CSK a target of 231.
CSK, who have been struggling with their top-order batting, began poorly and lost three wickets in quick succession. Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali helped them recover from 3/10, but only Moeen (56 off 36 balls) was able to find his hitting range. He deposited Noor Ahmad for three consecutive sixes.
However, Mohit Sharma lived up to the faith shown by the team management by dismissing Mitchell for 63 (34b, 7×4,3×6) and returning with figures of 4-0-31-3.
When Jadeja joined Dube, CSK needed 97 off 34 balls but couldn’t get close to the target. This defeat will be a setback for CSK’s playoff hopes, as they are currently in mid-table with DC and LSG.
