Gujarat Titans breezed into the IPL 2025 playoffs with a dominant 10-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, emphasised by an impressive unbeaten 205-run partnership between openers Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan. Gill acknowledged that his side might have allowed Delhi Capitals a few runs too many in the first innings, suggesting they let slip “10 to 15 extra”. Despite this, the openers’ stand ensured a comfortable win, securing GT’s spot at the top of the table with two matches remaining.
Reflecting on their performance, Gill noted, “Honestly at the halfway point, I thought we gave 10 to 15 extra. There was a little bit of grip for the spinners. They [Delhi Capitals] batted well, kept wickets in hand, and utilised the wicket pretty well. When we went out to bat, the talk was to just try and play good cricket shots, and once we were in the flow, we can take the game from there.” Recovering from an illness, Gill finished with a commanding 93 not out, while Sai Sudharsan marked his second IPL hundred, scoring an outstanding 108 not out from 61 deliveries.
Post-match, Player of the Match Sai Sudharsan credited a mindset shift for his ability to finish games effectively. “There’s a bit of joy when you finish games for the team,” he said. “In the break we got, I was thinking on that [finishing games] a bit more. Between overs 7-10, they bowled really well [DC conceded 30 to leave Titans 93 without loss]. The momentum went down a bit.” He emphasised the importance of taking the game deep without desperation, which paid off with a series of productive overs.
Discussing his evolution as a T20 batsman, Sudharsan expressed a newfound belief and mental liberation. “I’ve started to believe a bit more,” he shared. “The belief I have has gotten better to take the game deeper and win games. I’ve expanded my batting, explored my batting, mentally I’m a bit more free and expressive.”
Sudharsan also praised the camaraderie with his captain, Gill. “When I got after the bowlers, he complements me, we rotate strike and run really well,” Sudharsan noted. “In the middle overs, running is vital for us. When I do some mistakes, he makes me aware and similarly from my side as well.”
GT batting coach Parthiv Patel attributed the duo’s success to their synergy and calculated play. “You talk of high-risk, high reward. These two play low-risk cricket and still have the ability to hit down the ground and get boundaries and sixes,” he commented. Patel highlighted the hard work put into strengthening basics, which pays dividends in their performances season after season.
