Top News

New Delhi: Sai Sudharsan stroked his way to fluent half century as Gujarat Titans eased into a eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in an IPL 2206 match on Sunday.

The opener scored 87 off 46 balls (4×4, 7×6) as Gujarat reached their 159-run target in 20 balls to spare and rose to fifth spot in the standings with eight points from as many games.

CSK dropped a slot to sixth spot after fifth loss in eight matches.

Earlier, they had restricted CSK to 158 for seven after winning the toss and opting to bowl at the Chepauk stadium, with Kagiso Rabada (3/25) putting in an inspirational bowling performance.

Save for CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (74 not out) none of the home team batters could get going on a pitch that offered bounce.

It is Sai Sudharsan again 👏

A steady 5⃣0⃣ to follow up a hundred, the #GT opener steering the side 👌

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/zJBovAaCoM #TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #CSKvGT pic.twitter.com/5AN27dvhzW

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL)

Batters needed to adapt to the demands of the pitch but they erred in attempting big shots and only achieved to miscue shots and offer catches.

CSK never had momentum and Gaikwad’s maiden half-century of this edition anchored their innings to a fightng total.

Gaikwad faced 60 balls and managed six boundaries and four sixes to be CSK’s top-scorer as Arshad Khan took two wickets to complement Rabada’s efforts.

But it was only after a late flurry of strokes from Kartik Sharma (15) and Jamie Overton (18) that they crossed the 150-run mark, which too little too late.

Sudharshan produced a 58-run first wicket stand with GT skipper Shubman Gill (33) and then stitched up 97 runs with Jos Buttler (39 not out) for the second wicket to ensure that GT don’t have any hiccup in their chase.

Chennai Super Kings: 158 for 7 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 74 not out; Kagiso Rabada 3/25).

Gujarat Titans: 162 for 2 in 16.4 overs (Sai Sudharsan 87, Shubman Gill 33, Jos Buttler 39 not out; Noor Ahmad 1/29).