GT defeated CSK by 35 runs to keep their tiny playoffs hopes alive.
Invited to bat first, GT rode on sublime centuries from Shubman Gill (104 off 55) and his opening partner Sai Sudharsan (103 off 51) to rack up a massive 231/3 on the board.
In reply, the defending champions managed 196/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell was the top scorer with 63 off 34 balls while Moeen Ali contributed 56 off 36 balls but they didn’t get enough support from others.
After the game, GT skipper Shubman Gill reflected on his 210-run opening stand with Sudharsan, saying that they share a very good camaraderie.
"When you've got 100k people supporting you, becomes easier. Just the freeness of it. When we were batting out there, we didn't have any targets in mind. Were just maximising the opportunities in front of us. We have a good camaraderie between us. Even last year we batted a lot together. Lot of fun batting with him. In terms of numbers, definitely it is (best opening partnership for GT)," Gill said at the post-match presentation.
Medium-pacer Mohit Sharma starred with the ball for Gujarat as he dismissed both half-century-makers of CSK and returned with the figures of 3/31 in four overs.
“Mohit bhai has done this for us the last couple of years. Even last year, his bowling was a revelation. Even this year, two three bad games can happen to anyone. At one point we thought 250 was there for the taking. In the last 2-3 overs they bowled well also. Just had a feeling we were 10-15 short - not in terms of the match but in terms of the NRR going forward," Gill added.
On the other hand, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad rued the fielding lapses while also praising the Titans openers for their whirlwind display with the bat.
“Our fielding let us down, we gave away 10-15 runs extra I think, execution wise we were good, but they played some really good shots. You can't control batters when they are playing so well and going good,” Gaikwad said in the post-match interaction.
CSK's loss tightened up the race to the playoffs. The defending champions held onto the fourth and last playoffs spot while GT need to win their remaining two games by big margins to keep their tiny playoffs hopes alive.
The Super Kings will take on Rajasthan Royals in their next match at Chepauk on Sunday (May 12).
“It's real quick, we got to fly next as we have a tough game in Chennai, so we got to turn up well there as well,” Gaikwad stated.