Gujarat Titans ran into trouble in their chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on Saturday after opener Sai Sudharsan was forced to retire hurt during the IPL match. The setback came early, with Sudharsan sustaining an injury while facing Kartik Tyagi in the third over, leaving the Titans to regroup as they chased a massive target.
Sudharsan retires hurt as Titans lose an early wicket
The incident unfolded on the final ball of the third over, when Tyagi sent a short-of-length delivery into Sudharsan’s hitting zone. Looking to play a pull shot, the opener was beaten for timing and the ball struck his left elbow.
Sudharsan managed to complete a run, taking a single through backward square leg, but immediately fell to the ground in pain. He then removed his gloves, prompting the physio to rush onto the field. An ice pack was applied to his left elbow before he walked off the pitch retired hurt.
With Jos Buttler seen warming up near the boundary rope, Nishant Sindhu was the batter who came out next to take over the innings for Gujarat.
Kolkata set up a big total with a dominant Allen
Earlier in the match, Kolkata Knight Riders posted 247 for two, their highest score of the season, driven by Finn Allen’s explosive knock.
- Allen struck 93 off 35 balls to power the innings.
- He survived two dropped catches, first on 14 and again on 33.
- His innings featured 10 sixes and four boundaries, with 86 of his 93 runs coming from boundaries.
Raghuvanshi and Green extend the momentum
After Allen’s dismissal, momentum was carried forward by Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green. The pair stitched an unbeaten 108-run stand for the third wicket off 53 deliveries.
- Raghuvanshi finished not out on 82.
- Green remained unbeaten on 52.
Gujarat’s fielding woes: four drops and key reprieves
While Kolkata built their innings, Gujarat Titans struggled in the field, dropping four catches in total.
- Raghuvanshi was let off by Washington Sundar on 52.
- Green received a reprieve on 23 when Arshad Khan put down a chance off Rashid Khan.
- Overall, the Titans’ fielding errors contributed to the pressure Kolkata were able to maintain throughout.
