NEW DELHI: In a high-stakes IPL final, B Sai Sudharsan showcased his prowess with a stunning knock of 96, propelling defending champions Gujarat Titans to an imposing total of 214/4 against the Chennai Super Kings. Sudharsan's aggressive innings, consisting of eight boundaries and six towering sixes off just 46 balls, set the stage for an exhilarating clash at the grand finale.
After being put in to bat, Gujarat Titans faced an early scare when Tushar Deshpande had Shubman Gill flicking a delivery, only for Deepak Chahar to drop a regulation catch at short fine leg. Gill couldn't capitalise on the reprieve, as MS Dhoni's brilliance behind the stumps resulted in his dismissal for a brisk 39 off 20 balls.
Undeterred by the loss of Gill, Wriddhiman Saha unleashed an onslaught on the Chennai bowlers, accumulating 16 runs off the third over and providing Gujarat Titans with valuable momentum. Gill, on the other hand, continued his aggressive approach, notching up three consecutive fours off Deshpande. Chahar's misfortune persisted when he spilled a challenging return catch off Saha's bat.
The missed opportunities proved costly for Chennai Super Kings as Gujarat Titans reached a commanding 62/0 at the end of the powerplay. However, MS Dhoni's astute wicket-keeping skills halted Gill's sensational IPL campaign, stumping him off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja in the seventh over.
Saha, displaying his class, registered his second fifty of the season in the 13th over. However, his partnership with Sudharsan was broken in the 14th over, as Chahar dismissed him, caught behind by Dhoni, for a well-made 54 off 39 balls.
Sudharsan, the second-highest run-scorer for Gujarat Titans this season, accelerated his innings after a slow start. The left-handed batsman from Chennai found his rhythm after the 14th over, unleashing an array of boundaries and sixes. He reached his third fifty of the IPL season with consecutive fours off Matheesha Pathirana.
On a rampage, Sudharsan continued his assault, smashing three fours and two sixes off Deshpande, followed by two more sixes against Theekshana. In just 21 balls, he amassed 60 runs to elevate Gujarat Titans to a daunting total.
However, Sudharsan's blistering knock came to an end in the final over as Pathirana trapped him in front of the wickets, claiming his first breakthrough of the game. Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 21 off 12 balls.
With an imposing target of 215 set by Gujarat Titans, the stage is set for a thrilling chase as Chennai Super Kings take on the challenge of lifting the IPL trophy once again.
(With inputs from PTI)
