Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan hit out at the “body-line” style used against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during Gujarat Titans’ seven-wicket play-off win over Rajasthan Royals. In the 14th over of RR’s innings, Kagiso Rabada bowled a short ball that struck Sooryavanshi on the helmet, forcing the youngster to go through the concussion protocol.
After that incident, Mohammed Siraj continued the same theme in the 15th over, targeting the batter’s body again. Siraj’s over didn’t go to plan as Sooryavanshi was able to smash him for a six, adding momentum for Rajasthan at a crucial stage.
Following the match, Pathan took to X to criticise Gujarat’s approach. While he acknowledged that Sooryavanshi was facing top-level opponents, Pathan said his “father” instinct couldn’t support the tactic. “Body line bowling to stop 15 years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi doesn’t fit well with me,” he wrote. “I know he is playing against the big boys but the father in me doesn’t agree with that,” Pathan added.
Gujarat chased down Rajasthan’s 215-run target with plenty to spare, finishing on 219/3 in 18.4 overs. Shubman Gill delivered a standout performance, blasting 104 off 53 balls, while Sai Sudharsan contributed 58 off 32 deliveries. For RR, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma and Jofra Archer shared the wickets, taking one each.
Earlier, Rajasthan had posted 214/6 in their 20 overs. Sooryavanshi was the spark for the Royals, scoring 96 from just 47 balls. Jason Holder and Rabada were the main wicket-takers for Gujarat, each claiming two wickets as RR managed a competitive total.
After the win, Gujarat captain Gill explained his mindset during the chase. “I think it’s all about, I was in kind of a zone where I was only looking at the gaps and looking at the bowlers and looking at where I want to hit the ball. I wasn’t looking to hit the ball too hard. It was just about see the ball land, see my zones and try to adjust there.”
Gill also reflected on how his timing fell into place once he found the right areas. “That’s what happens when you’re batting well. You just see the gaps and you middle everything. I’m very fortunate, you know, we got a… we got a target of 220. At one point it looked like we were gonna restrict them around 180-190, but we got a total and once we got off to a start, we spoke about, I actually wanted to finish the game, quite sad how I got out.”
On the quick turnaround after the play-off, Gill said the focus would shift to recovery and preparation for the next challenge. “The feeling is definitely good. It’s one day turnaround, so quick turnaround. So hopefully we all learn and recover tomorrow and then day after go there, see how the wicket is, and then just play another match of cricket. Yes, but I think if you don’t play the occasion, it kind of brings the best out of us. And that’s what we spoke about even in this game as well, let’s take the equation out of the game and let’s just try to play a good game of cricket. And as long as we do that, even if we don’t end up on the winning side, that’s fine,” he added.
