Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan turned their early-season momentum into another statement at the top, piling up a record seventh century stand as Gujarat Titans posted 229 for four against Chennai Super Kings on a batting-friendly wicket in the IPL on Thursday. The opening duo stitched together a platform packed with timing and control, leaving the opposition chasing runs from the first over.
Quick facts
- Gujarat Titans finished: 229/4 against Chennai Super Kings
- Record: seventh century partnership by Gill and Sudharsan as opening pair
- Gill: 64 off 37 balls
- Sudharsan: 84 off 53 balls
- Gill fifty: 23 balls; Sudharsan fifth consecutive fifty
- Partnership: 125 runs off 74 balls
- After powerplay 62 runs: Noor Ahmad introduced; Gill hit two sixes
- RCB elite opening duos in multiple-century list: Kohli/Faf du Plessis (5), Gayle/Kohli (4)
Gill looked composed from ball one, working Spencer Johnson in the powerplay with a mix of restraint and sharp intent. The left-hander’s touch was evident as he accelerated cleanly, picking up his fifty in just 23 deliveries. Sudharsan followed the same script, reaching his score of 84 off 53 after getting to his milestone at the 35-ball mark—his fifth consecutive half-century.
The heart of the innings came from the 125-run partnership, built in 74 balls. Gill carried the heavier scoring load during the stand, while Sudharsan’s consistency ensured the tempo never dipped. It was also Sudharsan’s fifth straight fifty, underlining how reliably he has been converting starts into substantial totals.
Sudharsan joins a rare streak
Sudharsan’s run of five consecutive half-centuries places him alongside a select group. Virender Sehwag previously stood as the only Indian to hit five successive IPL fifties, doing it in 2012. Among overseas batters, Jos Buttler (2018) and David Warner (2019) have also managed the same achievement.
Gill’s boundary-making against Johnson was particularly eye-catching, combining minimal risk with his usual elegance. He struck a cut for four off Johnson’s very first ball, then repeatedly used the crease to free his arms against the left-arm pacer. The straight drive he hit in the same over stood out as the most majestic shot of the spell.
After the powerplay—when Titans had already collected 62 runs—Noor Ahmad was brought into the attack. Gill refused to let the bowler settle, launching him with a slog-sweep that produced a couple of sixes.
As the scoreboard kept climbing, the pair took their 100-run stand for the seventh time, moving beyond several notable opening combinations. They surpassed the century partnership counts of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, and also Travis Head with Abhishek Sharma, both of whom have produced six century opening stands in the league. The elite list also includes RCB’s Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis (5) and Chris Gayle with Kohli (4), highlighting how rare it is to rack up multiple hundreds at the top of the order.
With both batters set, Gujarat Titans barely lost any momentum, cruising to 111 without loss in 10 overs. Gill’s dismissal didn’t disrupt the rhythm; Sudharsan and Jos Buttler—who finished unbeaten on 57 off 27—kept the pressure on and pushed the total well beyond 200.
Sudharsan continued to play with the kind of controlled aggression he is known for. In the penultimate over, he spotted a wide, low full toss from Anshul Kamboj and clobbered it over point for a sensational six, extending the innings’ acceleration right into the finish.
Buttler also carried the finishing role with authority, smashing four sixes in his stay, including two off Noor Ahmad. Together, the late surge ensured Titans ended with a commanding total of 229 for four.
