Gujarat Titans (GT) on Monday (May 13) became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs as they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 34 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Invited to bat first, the defending champions posted 188/9 in their allotted 20 overs on the back of opener Shubman Gill’s maiden IPL hundred (101 off 58 balls).

Defending the total, GT restricted SRH to 154/9. Mohammad Shami (4-20) and Mohit Sharma (4-28) starred with the ball for the Titans, picking up four scalps each.

After the game, GT skipper Hardik Pandya said that his side deserves to be in the qualifiers of IPL 2023.

“Very proud of the boys. 2 in 2. Last year was very different. This year we knew there will be lot of challenges. The way the boys have shown their character and put their hand up in difficult situations, we deserve to be in the qualifiers,” said Pandya at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“I spoke with my boys we know where we stand and there will be expectations for us to show what we've got. We have ticked a lots of boxes, have made some errors as well. I don't think any team could run through us this season. The guys have focused where they needed to and that's why we stand here,” he added.

Hardik Pandya said he is a bowler’s captain and makes sure that the bowlers get their credit.

“Bowlers are close to my heart. Batters take the credit generally but couple of overs and couple of wickets can be important so I am a bowler's captain and make sure they get the credit which they sometimes don't get,” he stated.

Gujarat Titans will face Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last league match at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday (May 21).