Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Delhi Capitals by 10 wickets on Sunday, securing a commanding start to the IPL 2025 playoffs. The chase was largely orchestrated by the undefeated opening partnership between B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. With an over remaining, GT chased down Delhi’s total of 199 thanks to a spectacular 108* off just 61 balls from Sudharsan, who played his best performance of the season. Gujarat captain Gill’s 93* off 53 deliveries was the ideal compliment to his partner.
With 839 runs scored this season, the undefeated 205-run combination not only guaranteed GT’s spot in the playoffs but also set a record for the biggest partnership ever by an Indian opening pair in the league. Currently sitting comfortably at the top of the table, the team is looking at a possible home playoff with two league games remaining. After the victory, Sudharsan talked about how his focus on finishing games and mental clarity had improved.
“Completing games for the team brings a certain kind of happiness. During our break, I gave that [ending games] a little more thought. They bowled exceptionally effectively from overs 7–10 [DC gave up 30 to leave Titans 93 undefeated]. The momentum somewhat slowed. Having a cool enough mindset to take the game deep was important to us; we didn’t want to be desperate enough to take many chances. And the game changed when we got two or three massive overs. I took chances in the past games and left. Here, Sai Sudharsan stated, “I was smart enough to play the game deep and take my chances against the right matchups.”
Started to believe a bit more: Sai Sudharsan
Sudharsan, who now leads the Orange Cap race with 617 runs from 12 innings, reflected on how he has fine-tuned his batting approach, which has given him the desired results this season.
“I’ve started to believe a bit more. From my mindset point of view, the belief I have is that I have gotten better at taking the game deeper and winning games. I’ve expanded my batting, explored my batting, and mentally I’m a bit more free and expressive. When I got after the bowlers, he complimented me, and we rotated strike and run well. In the middle overs, running is a vital thing for us. When I make some mistakes, he makes me aware, and similarly, from my side as well,” he added.
GT batting coach Parthiv Patel credited their low-risk aggression and mutual understanding. The duo made sure to use a calculated aggression approach and attacked the DC bowlers at the right time.
“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. The fours they hit in the powerplay…I feel they know their game, on top of everything. People don’t see how much hard work they put in, creating those basics stronger, that’s why they’re scoring runs. They communicate really well. Last year also, they batted brilliantly. When the season started, everyone thought Buttler would be opening. These two knew what they’re doing. The opening pair is about chemistry and knowing each other’s game really well, and these two know their games really well,” Parthiv said.
India
