Gujarat Titans moved nearer to a top-two finish in IPL 2026 after defeating Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Batting first, the Titans posted 229/4, with Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler setting up a total that proved too heavy for CSK, who were bowled out for 140 in just 13.4 overs.
Gujarat Titans’ batting masterclass
Gill and Sudharsan provided the foundation with an opening partnership worth 125 runs, their workload shared in a way that kept the innings accelerating. Gill struck 64 off 37 deliveries, while Sudharsan contributed 84 off 53 as the pair built momentum and consistently found boundaries.
- Gujarat Titans finished on 229/4 after 20 overs.
- Gill made 64 (37 balls) and Sudharsan 84 (53 balls) in the opening stand.
- The 125-run partnership was the Titans’ seventh century stand in IPL history, the highest by any batting duo in the competition.
Buttler then ensured the total climbed to a commanding height, striking an unbeaten 57 off 27 balls to close the innings with authority.
CSK bowled over in the chase
Chasing a near-impossible target, CSK needed early wickets and never found the rhythm. Sanju Samson was removed in the opening over, and the Super Kings soon lost four wickets during the powerplay—damage that proved impossible to repair.
- CSK were dismissed for 140 in 13.4 overs.
- Four wickets fell inside the powerplay as CSK’s chase never gained traction.
- Mohammed Siraj struck early, getting Samson out on the first ball of the innings.
- Kagiso Rabada dismissed Matthew Short after the batter mistimed a shot to mid-on.
Only Shivam Dube offered any sustained resistance, scoring 47 off 17 balls and clearing the ropes with six maximums. Even that burst couldn’t change the outcome as Gujarat’s bowling kept CSK under pressure throughout.
Impact on the playoff race
The result carries significant implications for both franchises. Gujarat now sit with nine wins from 14 matches and 18 points, strengthening their case for a top-two finish. Meanwhile, CSK’s defeat confirmed they will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season, despite being five-time champions.
- Gujarat Titans: nine wins from 14 matches, 18 points.
- Chennai Super Kings: eliminated from playoffs for the third season in a row.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad can also reach 18 points if they beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who already have 18 points.
How the innings unfolded: key moments and milestones
Gill began the innings with intent, repeatedly attacking left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson in the powerplay. He reached his fifty in 23 balls, while Sudharsan completed his half-century in 35 deliveries—his fifth consecutive IPL fifty.
- Gill reached fifty in 23 balls during the powerplay.
- Sudharsan completed his fifty in 35 balls, marking his fifth straight IPL half-century.
Much of the 125-run opening partnership came through smart shot selection—cuts, drives and sweeps that kept the scoreboard moving steadily. When Noor Ahmad entered the attack, Gill struck immediately, smashing two sixes to push the run rate further upward.
The stand also helped Gill and Sudharsan move past the IPL century-pair records previously held by David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, and Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, each of whom had six century partnerships in IPL history.
After Gill departed, Sudharsan and Buttler maintained the momentum. Sudharsan kept striking with precision, while Buttler hit four sixes, including two off Noor Ahmad, as Gujarat crossed the 220-run mark before the innings concluded.
