Opting to bat first after being invited by RR skipper Sanju Samson, Gujarat rode on Sudharsan’s fluent 82 off 53 balls to lay a solid foundation.
The left-hander showcased exceptional timing and placement, peppering the field with eight crisp boundaries and launching three clean sixes during his innings. He paced his knock intelligently, accelerating at the right moments and ensuring GT maintained momentum through the middle overs.
Joining hands with Jos Buttler early on, Sudharsan stitched together a steady partnership that countered the early movement and occasional bounce. Buttler, typically known for his aggressive approach, played a measured hand, contributing a well-compiled 36. His knock provided vital support as Sudharsan took the lead in the scoring.
Despite being on the back foot for most of the innings, Rajasthan Royals managed to strike back intermittently. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 37, using his variations smartly to disrupt GT’s rhythm. Tushar Deshpande also made his presence felt with two wickets, while Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma chipped in with one scalp each
The Royals' bowling unit struggled to contain the flow of runs on a batting-friendly Ahmedabad surface. Their inability to pick regular wickets during the middle overs allowed the Titans to build partnerships and keep the run rate healthy throughout the innings.
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