Gujarat Titans won and did some community service too by helping two teams qualify: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reflected on Gujarat Titans’ crushing victory over Delhi Capitals on May 18 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. It was a thoroughly clinical effort from the visiting side as they decimated the Delhi outfit and romped home to a 10-wicket win to clinch the much-awaited playoffs spot. 

Titans’ victory also meant that Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings went through, something which Manjrekar cheekily defined as “community service”. As things stand, there is now a three-way battle for the fourth playoffs berth, with Capitals, Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants in the hunt.

“This is what you have to like about Gujarat Titans—they’ve won the game and done a bit of community service too by helping two other teams qualify. I’m genuinely happy when cricketing logic prevails. When it doesn’t, it bothers me a bit. Now, three strong teams are through,” Manjrekar said on JioHotstar.

“As for the fourth spot, it’s likely between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. We’ll find out soon. If Delhi can win their next two, they’ll fully deserve that spot. This match had so many elements, but most importantly—it was a big day. One win, and suddenly you have three teams qualifying at once,” he added.

Manjrekar also highlighted the importance of finishing in the top two as it provides the teams an additional chance to qualify for the final.

“It’s the position every team wants—finishing in the top two. After playing league matches for two months, you don’t want your entire campaign to hinge on just one knockout game. The play-off format rewards consistency by giving the top teams two shots at making the final. If you’ve worked that hard through a long season, you deserve more than a one-night chance. That’s what makes the top-two finish so important.”

Manjrekar’s co-panellist and former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar also lauded Titans’ superlative effort as Sai Sudharsan’s unbeaten century (108 off 61) and Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 93 off 53 made light work of a 200-run target.

“Exceptional performance from the top order once again—how often have they done this now? It’s surprising how consistently they deliver and complement each other so well. Shubman has often taken the role of second fiddle over the past year and a half, and that’s a remarkable evolution in his game. It’s helped insulate the lower order, as he now plays exactly to the needs of the situation. All in all, it’s been fantastic,” Bangar said.

Bangar was effusive in praise for Sudharsan, whose boundary-filled knock made him leapfrog Suryakumar Yadav in the Orange Cap race. Bangar lauded the left-hander’s composed yet expansive approach to T20 batting, highlighting his smart shot selection.

“What I really like about Sai Sudharsan’s batting—even in this format—is the control he shows. When he looks to hit, the top hand does a lot of the work, and the ball often bounces close to him, whether he’s playing in front or square of the wicket. It’s tough to show that kind of restraint in the first six overs, but once he gets through them, he opens up and plays lofted shots with equal assurance. His wagon wheel showed runs across all regions—he doesn't rely on just one scoring area. That’s been a hallmark of his batting, and he’s delivering these performances consistently now.”