- By Sunny Daud
- Thu, 21 May 2026 11:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Gujarat Titans moved a step closer to securing a top-two finish in the IPL playoffs after crushing Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs on Thursday. The win was built around another brilliant effort from their dependable top order, which once again delivered under pressure.
Captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan continued their outstanding form with a superb opening partnership that completely put Gujarat in control. Gill looked confident from the very beginning and played some classy strokes all around the ground during his quick 64 off just 37 balls. Sudharsan, on the other hand, played with calmness and maturity, scoring 84 from 53 deliveries while keeping the scoreboard moving smoothly.
The pair added another century stand together, making it the seventh 100-plus partnership between them in the IPL which is the highest by any opening pair in the tournament’s history. Their partnership gave Gujarat the perfect start on a batting-friendly pitch.
After Gill got out, Jos Buttler took charge in the final overs and gave the innings the perfect finish. Buttler smashed an unbeaten 57 off only 27 balls, hitting boundaries and sixes with ease. His aggressive batting in the death overs pushed Gujarat Titans to a massive total of 229 for four.
Chennai Super Kings never really recovered after a terrible start to their chase. Gujarat’s bowling attack came out with great energy and broke the backbone of CSK’s batting lineup inside the powerplay itself. Mohammed Siraj was outstanding with the new ball and picked up three early wickets. He struck on the very first ball of the innings when Sanju Samson edged behind to Buttler while trying to chase a wide delivery.
Kagiso Rabada also joined the party by dismissing Matthew Short cheaply. CSK were reduced to 51 for four in no time, and from there the match slipped away quickly.
The only real fight came from Shivam Dube, who played a fearless knock of 47 from just 17 balls, smashing multiple sixes. But his effort was never enough to challenge the huge target. CSK were eventually bowled out for 140 in just 13.4 overs.
With this victory, Gujarat Titans finished the league stage strongly with nine wins from 14 matches and 18 points. The result also confirmed another disappointing season for Chennai Super Kings, who failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third season in a row.
Gill’s batting was one of the highlights of the evening. His timing and elegance stood out as he punished loose deliveries from Spencer Johnson with beautiful drives and cuts. He reached his fifty in only 23 balls, while Sudharsan completed another half-century in 35 deliveries, marking his fifth consecutive fifty in the tournament.
The Gujarat batters never allowed the bowlers to settle. Even spinner Noor Ahmad was attacked confidently, with Gill hitting him for two sixes soon after he came into the attack.