In one of the most dominant batting displays in IPL history, Gujarat Titans (GT) chased down a daunting target of 200 without losing a wicket to book their spot in the playoffs. B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill combined for an unbeaten 205-run stand, making light work of Delhi Capitals’ (DC) 199 for 3 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday night.
Sudharsan, the star of the show, remained unbeaten on a blistering 108 off just 61 balls, while Gill anchored the other end with a classy 93* off 53 balls. The pair’s partnership became only the second instance in T20 history where a team chased 200+ without losing a wicket.
The victory not only sealed GT’s playoff berth but also ensured that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) advanced to the knockouts. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals now find themselves in a precarious position, battling alongside Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants for the one remaining playoff spot.
Sudharsan Sets the Tone
Sudharsan came out with attacking intent from the very first ball, smashing Axar Patel for a boundary and then launching into T Natarajan with three more fours and a six in the second over. By the end of the third over, he had 35 off 13, setting a rapid tone for the chase.
Even as Mustafizur Rahman and Dushmantha Chameera applied some brakes midway through the powerplay, GT ended the first six overs at a solid 59 for no loss.
Gill, initially cautious, shifted gears after reaching 21 off 19 balls. In a span of three overs, he struck three sixes off Axar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Vipraj Nigam, eventually bringing up his fifty off 33 balls. His first boundary came only in the 11th over, but it was followed instantly by a six, signaling his acceleration.
With GT cruising at 154 for 0 after 15 overs, Sudharsan soon brought up his second IPL century with a towering straight six off Kuldeep. Appropriately, it was Sudharsan who sealed the victory with another maximum, completing one of the most clinical chases the league has witnessed.
Rahul’s Lone Stand in Vain
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, DC had a sluggish start. Gujarat’s pacers, especially Mohammed Siraj and Arshad Khan, bowled tight lines, restricting DC to just 28 for 1 after five overs. Faf du Plessis struggled and fell for 5, trying to force the pace.
KL Rahul, however, stood firm and played a masterful knock of 112* off 65 deliveries. He accelerated after the powerplay, particularly targeting Kagiso Rabada—who returned to action after a one-month ban—and hit him for two sixes and a four in the sixth over.
Rahul’s partnership with Abishek Porel (30 off 19) yielded 90 runs in just under nine overs. Despite some fortune—three streaky boundaries off R Sai Kishore—Rahul paced his innings brilliantly, reaching his century in 60 balls and finishing with a flourish alongside Tristan Stubbs (21* off 10).
Still, the 48 runs DC managed in the last four overs proved insufficient in the face of the Titans’ unstoppable openers.
Scorecard Summary
Delhi Capitals: 199/3
KL Rahul 112* (65)
Abishek Porel 30 (19)
Axar Patel 25 (16)
Arshad Khan 1/7 (2 overs)
Prasidh Krishna 1/40 (4 overs)
Sai Kishore 1/47 (4 overs)
Gujarat Titans: 205/0
B Sai Sudarshan 108*
Shubman Gill 93*
Mustafizur Rahman 0/24 (3 overs)
Vipraj Nigam 0/37 (4 overs)
Kuldeep Yadav 0/37 (4 overs)
Result: Gujarat Titans won by 10 wickets
