Former South African batsman and skipper Graeme Smith praised Indian and Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Sai Sudharsan for his century and said he needs to be talked about a bit more and that he is “under the radar”. Centuries from Sai and skipper Shubman Gill and a fine three-wicket haul from Mohit Sharma helped GT secure a 35-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Ahmedabad on Friday to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Speaking to JioCinema after the match, Smith said, “I thought Mathew Wade would open the innings and Sudharsan would remain at three, but it turned out to be a fantastic move. The cooperation was excellent. (Gill and Sudharsan) ran well between the wickets; they chose their targets, and their matchups were simply outstanding tonight. Sudharsan is so under the radar, he is the leading points scorer for GT this season, the fastest Indian to reach a thousand IPL. runs with a difference of six innings, and a brilliant hundred from him tonight.
In 12 matches this season, Sudharsan has scored 527 runs at an average of 47.90 and a strike rate of 141.28, with a century and two fifties. His best score is 103. He is the fourth highest point scorer this season.
He also played three ODIs and made his international debut in South Africa in December last year. He has scored 127 runs at an average of 63.50, with two half-centuries and a best score of 62.
Coming to the match, CSK chose to play first after winning the toss. Sudarshan (103 in 51 balls, with five fours and seven sixes) and Gill (104 in 55 balls, with nine fours and six sixes) put on an opening partnership of 210 runs, taking GT to 231/3 in their 20 overs.
Tushar Deshpande (2/33) was the choice of the bowlers for CSK.
In the run-chase, CSK were reduced to 10/3. Half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell (63 in 34 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) and Moeen Ali (56 in 36 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) temporarily threatened GT with a 109-run partnership. But after that, CSK lost wickets regularly and were restricted to 196/8 in their 20 overs.
Mohit Sharma (3/31) and Rashid Khan (2/38) were among the best bowlers for GT.
Gill received the 'Player of the Match' award.
GT is in eighth place with five wins and seven losses in 12 matches, with a total of 10 points. CSK are at the fourth spot, with six wins, six losses and 12 points.
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