IPL 2025: Can Sudharsan and Gill Outshine Rahul?

New Delhi, May 18 (NationPress) B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill showcased an outstanding batting display, scoring an unbeaten 108 and 93 respectively, propelling the Gujarat Titans into the IPL 2025 playoffs following a commanding ten-wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

After KL Rahul delivered a spectacular 112 not out off 65 balls, featuring 14 fours and four sixes, which helped DC reach 199/3, Sudharsan and Gill made the chase seem effortless, completing it in just 19 overs with their tactical and conventional batting. Sudharsan concluded with 108 not out off 61 balls, marking his second IPL century with 12 fours and four sixes, while Gill remained not out at 93 off 53 balls, hitting three fours and seven sixes.

This emphatic victory marks GT's third playoff appearance and elevates them to the top of the points table, establishing their dominance in this season. The outcome also ensured the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings qualified for the playoffs, leaving Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants contending for the remaining playoff spot.

Sudharsan, who stepped in as an Impact Player for Prasidh Krishna, started strong, pulling Axar Patel for four runs, while Gill capped the opening over with a six over deep mid-wicket. Sudharsan dominated the next over against T Natarajan, hitting a six followed by three boundaries.

He then struck Axar twice for boundaries and continued to impress, ending the power-play at 59/0. Sudharsan then survived two reviews, including one on an umpire’s call, before sweeping Axar for four to secure his fifty in just 30 balls. Gill responded by slog-sweeping Axar for six and then danced down the pitch to hit Kuldeep Yadav for another six.

After nearly being caught off a slower ball from Chameera, Gill reached his fifty off 33 balls with a straight drive, stunning the crowd with a beautiful pick-up six. Sudharsan then executed a textbook lofted shot off Vipraj Nigam for six before bringing up 150 runs in their opening stand.

DC's frequent bowling changes could not halt Sudharsan, who swept and guided Mustafizur for consecutive boundaries, and drilled a straight drive off Natarajan. Gill matched him by cutting and flicking Natarajan for four and six, respectively.

Sudharsan completed his century off 56 balls with a lofted six off Kuldeep, followed by a triumphant celebration as he finished the chase with a pulled six off Nigam, leading GT to another victory thanks to their formidable openers.

Earlier, Rahul exhibited his remarkable strokeplay, particularly in scoring his fifth IPL century and becoming the first player to score IPL centuries for three different teams—having achieved this feat previously with Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. He received support from other batters, with Abishek Porel contributing a quick 30, Axar Patel hitting 25 off 16 balls, and Tristan Stubbs finishing not out at 21 off 10 balls.

Batting first, Rahul struck two boundaries in the opening over against Mohammed Siraj, one due to a misfield and the other from a back foot cut. With Faf du Plessis struggling against GT’s bowlers and dismissed by Arshad Khan, Rahul continued to shine.

When Siraj bowled short and wide, Rahul swiftly cut past backward point and pulled over mid-on for two boundaries. Against Kagiso Rabada, Rahul was in terrific form, moving across to play a swivelled shot over square leg for six.

Rabada offered him room, and Rahul carved a boundary over point, reaching a milestone as the fastest Indian batter and third overall to achieve 8000 runs in men's T20s. The final power-play over saw 17 runs, with DC closing at 45/1.

Rahul was proactive in rotating the strike against Krishna and Rashid Khan, sweeping the latter for a boundary to reach fifty off 35 balls, amid cheers from the crowd. Luck was also on his side as R Sai Kishore missed a catch, allowing another boundary.

Rahul amazed everyone by lofting a half-volley from Rabada down the ground for six and then accelerated by hitting Kishore for three boundaries in a row—a powerful straight drive, a flick that Rabada parried over the boundary, and an edge running through vacant slips.

Despite not having much strike in the last four overs, Rahul lofted a six against Prasidh and pulled to secure his century, enjoying the crowd's applause. He capped off his innings with two boundaries off Siraj, though it wasn’t enough to stop GT from reaching the playoffs.

Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals 199/3 in 20 overs (KL Rahul 112 not out, Abishek Porel 30; Arshad Khan 1-7, Prasidh Krishna 1-40) lost to Gujarat Titans 205/0 in 19 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 108 not out, Shubman Gill 93 not out) by ten wickets.