Sai Sudharsan dominates Chennai bowlers to secure clinical victory
Gujarat Titans dismantled Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, effectively ending their two-match losing streak in IPL 2026. Left-handed opener Sai Sudharsan orchestrated the chase with a blistering 87 off just 46 deliveries, including seven towering sixes, as the visitors hunted down 159 with 20 balls remaining.
Winning the toss proved decisive for Shubman Gill, who invited the hosts to bat on a surface offering early assistance to pace. Kagiso Rabada led the bowling charge, claiming 3 for 25 and removing dangerous hitters like Sanju Samson, who earlier reached a milestone of 5,000 IPL runs. While CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad fought a lonely battle with an unbeaten 74, the lack of support from the other end left the yellow army with a sub-par total.
Sudharsan’s Masterclass Silences Chepauk
Sudharsan, coming off a century in his previous outing, looked unstoppable from the first over. He collaborated with Gill for a 58-run opening stand before the captain fell for 33. Joining forces with Jos Buttler, Sudharsan dismantled the spin duo of Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein. His aggressive approach ensured that the required run rate never climbed, eventually falling just short of a century after a brilliant catch by Dewald Brevis.
Success for Gujarat was rooted in their tactical precision during the powerplay. Mohammed Siraj and Arshad Khan maintained tight lines, restricting CSK to a mere 28 runs in the first six overs. Historically, the MA Chidambaram Stadium has been a fortress for Chennai, but the Titans' ability to extract bounce and swing—rare for this venue in late April—turned the tide in favor of the Ahmedabad-based franchise. This victory propels GT to the fifth spot on the points table, keeping their playoff ambitions alive.
Inputs from Agency threads and Image courtesy: ANI
