Sudharsan Stars as Gujarat Titans Crush Rajasthan Royals by 58 Runs
Ahmedabad, April 10:
Sai Sudharsan’s elegant 82 off 53 balls, backed by an all-round bowling display, powered Gujarat Titans to a thumping 58-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in their IPL encounter on Wednesday.
Sudharsan anchored the Titans’ innings with a classy knock laced with eight fours and three sixes, helping the hosts post a daunting 217/6. He received solid support from Jos Buttler (36), M. Shahrukh Khan (36), and Rahul Tewatia (24), whose quick-fire cameos lifted the total beyond the 200-mark.
In response, Rajasthan Royals were bowled out for 159 in 19.1 overs despite spirited efforts from Shimron Hetmyer (52) and captain Sanju Samson (41). Gujarat’s bowling unit kept the pressure on, striking at regular intervals to deny Rajasthan any real momentum in the chase.
GT pacers Mohammed Siraj (1/30) and Arshad Khan (1/19) struck early, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana in quick succession. Samson and Riyan Parag attempted a counterattack, with Parag hitting three no-look sixes in a lively cameo, but Kulwant Khejroliya (1/29) and Rashid Khan (2/37) removed both Parag and Dhruv Jurel to derail RR’s chase.
Prasidh Krishna (3/24) then delivered the knockout blow, removing Samson and Hetmyer in successive spells to seal the victory.
Earlier, Jofra Archer (1/30) showed glimpses of his fiery best for Rajasthan, clocking speeds over 150 kmph and cleaning up Shubman Gill (2) with a searing inswinger. However, Gujarat weathered the early storm, with Sudharsan and Buttler adding a crucial 80-run stand. Shahrukh Khan later provided the late flourish, hammering boundaries off Maheesh Theekshana (2/54) and pushing the total past 200.
Though RR tried to claw back with late wickets, GT’s disciplined bowling effort ensured their dominance throughout the match.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans: 217/6 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 82, Jos Buttler 36, M. Shahrukh Khan 36; Maheesh Theekshana 2/54, Tushar Deshpande 2/53)
Rajasthan Royals: 159 all out in 19.1 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 52, Sanju Samson 41; Prasidh Krishna 3/24, Rashid Khan 2/37, Sai Kishore 2/20)
Result: Gujarat Titans won by 58 runs.
