Mumbai, March 29: Gujarat Titans (GT) posted a strong total of 196/7 in 19.5 overs against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 9 of IPL 2024 at Wankhede Stadium. Sai Sudharsan’s brilliant 63-run knock, along with valuable contributions from Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler, helped GT set a challenging target.
Gill-Sudharsan Partnership Provides Strong Start
After MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl, Gujarat Titans got off to a promising start. Captain Shubman Gill (38 off 27) and Sai Sudharsan (63 off 41) built a solid opening stand, adding 78 runs for the first wicket. Gill looked in great touch, striking four boundaries and a six before getting dismissed by Pandya in the ninth over.
Sudharsan, on the other hand, played with composure, anchoring the innings with well-timed strokes. His 41-ball stay at the crease included four boundaries and two sixes. The young batter continued his rich vein of form, guiding GT towards a strong total before being dismissed in the 18th over.
Jos Buttler’s Explosive Cameo
After Gill’s departure, Jos Buttler (39 off 24) injected momentum into the innings. The English wicketkeeper-batter played attacking cricket, smashing five fours and a six. He looked set for a big score but fell to Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 14th over.
MI Bowlers Fight Back in Death Overs
Despite a strong foundation, GT’s middle order struggled to capitalize. Shivam Khan (9 off 7) and Sherfane Rutherford (18 off 11) failed to convert their starts. Rashid Khan (6 off 4) also perished trying to accelerate, while Rahul Tewatia was run out without facing a delivery.
Hardik Pandya was the pick of the bowlers for MI, returning figures of 2/29 in four overs. Trent Boult (1/34), Deepak Chahar (1/39), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1/28), and Satyanarayana Raju (1/40) also chipped in with wickets. However, the expensive spells from Mujeeb (14.00 economy) and Raju (14.12 economy) allowed GT to post a formidable total.
Last-Over Drama and Final Score
With GT at 194/7 in the final over, Kagiso Rabada (7* off 4) and R. Sai Kishore (1* off 1) ensured they reached 196/7 before the innings ended in 19.5 overs. The target will now test MI’s batting firepower against a strong GT bowling attack.
Score Summary:
Gujarat Titans: 196/7 in 19.5 overs (Sai Sudharsan 63, Jos Buttler 39, Shubman Gill 38; Hardik Pandya 2/29, Trent Boult 1/34)
MI will need a strong batting display to chase down this competitive total. Can they pull off the chase, or will GT’s bowlers defend it? Stay tuned for the second innings action!
