Mustafizur economical but helpless as Gujarat openers flatten Delhi

Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill delivered a masterclass in batting as Gujarat Titans stormed into the IPL playoffs with a ruthless 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals on 18 May.

Chasing a stiff target of 200, the Gujarat openers made light work of the total, combining for an unbeaten 200-run stand that left Delhi's bowlers helpless. Sudharsan was particularly destructive, finishing on 108 not out from 61 balls, decorated with 12 fours and four sixes. Gill narrowly missed out on a century, ending with 93* off 53 deliveries as the pair wrapped up the chase with one over to spare.

KL Rahul had earlier set the stage with a sublime century of his own. The Delhi captain struck 112 from just 65 balls — hitting 14 fours and 4 sixes — to guide his side to 199 for 3 after they were put in to bat. It was a landmark knock, as Rahul also crossed the 8,000-run milestone in T20 cricket. Despite his effort, the spotlight would ultimately be stolen by Gujarat's openers.

The Gujarat innings began with immediate intent. Gill and Sudharsan attacked from the outset, though Mustafizur Rahman initially stemmed the flow. Brought into the attack in the fourth over, the Bangladesh pacer conceded only six runs and didn't allow a single boundary. His second over, the sixth of the innings, went for just seven, with Sudharsan finding the rope once through deep point.

Yet Delhi's other bowlers failed to maintain any pressure. Sudharsan brought up his half-century in just 30 deliveries, and the 100-run partnership was raised inside 11 overs. Gill reached his fifty from 33 balls and showed similar authority at the crease.

Mustafizur returned for his third over in the 16th, but this time Sudharsan pounced on him with two boundaries — one behind square to fine leg, the other past third man. The left-armer finished with figures of 0 for 24 from three overs, the most economical of Delhi's attack. However, the rest of the bowling unit had no answers, as Gujarat cruised to victory with six balls in hand.

Earlier, Delhi's innings had started shakily when Faf du Plessis fell for a low score, caught at mid-on off Arshad Khan with the score at 16. Rahul then combined with Abishek Porel to add 90 for the second wicket, with the latter scoring a brisk 30 off 19 before edging behind off Sai Kishore.

Rahul continued to anchor the innings, adding 45 runs with Axar Patel for the third wicket, before Axar departed for 25 off 16. The final flourish came courtesy of a 48-run unbeaten stand between Rahul and Tristan Stubbs, who chipped in with 21 not out from just 10 deliveries.