IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, 59th Match - Who Said What?

In what was a must-win game, Gujarat Titans picked up a massive win over Chennai Super Kings as they defeated the defending champions by 35 runs. Be it in the batting, bowling or fielding, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side flopped in all three departments and that jeopardised their race to the playoffs of IPL 2024. 

Batting first, the dynamic duo of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan gave GT a perfect start. The duo stitched a partnership of 210 runs, which set the tone of the match. Gill, who hit the 100th century in IPL history, made 104 runs off 55 deliveries while Sudharsan hit 103 runs off 51 balls. They wreaked havoc in the middle, especially in the middle overs, which took the game away from the hands of CSK. After they went back to the pavilion, the runs dried up, but nevertheless, GT posted 231 runs on the board, which was enough for them.

When it came to the chase, the CSK batters never looked settled. Rachin Ravindra walked back to the pavilion after a run-out while Ajinkya Rahane’s poor form continued. Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali did bring back some momentum but it never looked enough. Mitchell made 63 runs off 34 balls and Ali hit 56 runs off 36 balls. However, after they got out, things went downhill for CSK. Even though Dhoni hit a few sixes in the end but it wasn’t enough.

1. Brothers of destruction

Gill and Sai were indeed the brothers of destruction, which handed CSK a defeat at the end of the day. The duo hit a century each, as CSK bowlers had no clue on how to stop them. Tushar Deshpande meanwhile dropped an easy catch which gave Gill an extra lifeline but overall, CSK bowlers had a very rough day in the middle. 

2. GT bowlers on a roll

GT bowlers were terrific against CSK in Ahmedabad. Even though they struggled a bit against Mitchell and Moeen, overall, they were sensational, which helped them pick an important victory, that will keep them alive in the playoffs race. Notably, Mohit Sharma picked up three wickets and Rashid Khan picked up two to get the job done.

Losing skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad said:

Our fielding let us down, we gave away 10-15 runs extra I think, execution wise we were good, but they played some really good shots. You can't control batters when they playing so well and going good. It's real quick, we got to fly quick and we have a tough game in Chennai, so we got to turn up well there as well.

Winning skipper and POTM Shubman Gill said:

It's just a cramp, nothing more. When you have so many people supporting you, it gets much easier. Loved the freeness of it, we didn't have targets in mind, we maximised every over and opportunity in front of us. We have a good camaraderie between us, we run the twos, we understand each other well. In terms of numbers, definitely it is [our best opening partnerships]. Mohit bhai has done it for us in the last couple of years and has done it tremendously for us. He was a revelation for us, one or two bad games happen. Honestly at one point 250 was for the taking and we fell short. IN the last two-three overs they bowled well. I though we were 10-15 short not in terms of the match but in terms of net run rate.