Updated: 16 May 2023
IPL 2023 GT vs SRH: Gill and Shami Lead Gujarat Titans to Playoff: Defending champions Gujarat Titans displayed a dominant performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2023 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Hardik Pandya-led GT cruised to a comfortable 34-run victory and became the first team of IPL 2023 to qualify for playoffs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were fighting for survival in the tournament, had a dismal start, losing opener Anmolpreet Singh to Mohammed Shami in the very first over. Abhishek Sharma’s wicket fell to Yash Dayal in the following over, worsening SRH’s situation.
The Titans continued to take wickets at regular intervals, with Shami dismissing Rahul Tripathi and Aiden Markram in successive overs during the powerplay. Mohit Sharma also got into the act, taking two wickets in his first over of the match.
Heinrich Klaasen’s resilient half-century gave some hope to the SRH innings, but his partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar was ended by Shami in his last over of the match, which also helped him reclaim the Purple Cap.
Despite an injury to Noor Ahmad, the Gujarat Titans ran out comfortable victors in their special Lavender jersey. The crowd at the stadium witnessed a clinical performance from the defending champions, who continue to make a strong case for retaining their IPL title.
Also Read: IPL 2023: Orange Cap, Purple Cap And Updated Points Table
Shubman Gill’ Maiden IPL Century
Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bowl first on a lively surface in Ahmedabad. The decision paid off immediately as Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Wriddhiman Saha for a three-ball duck in the very first over.
However, SRH lost momentum after an erratic over from Marco Jansen. The young batting duo of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan took control, with Gill smashing Fazalhaq Farooqi for four consecutive boundaries in an over. Despite the SRH bowlers’ efforts, sloppy fielding by their teammates aided the Titans’ batsmen.
Sudharsan fell just three runs short of his half-century, ending a massive 147-run partnership with Gill, the highest for GT and second-highest this season.Gill continued his brilliant form, racing towards his maiden IPL century. Though SRH kept chipping away at wickets, Gill maintained his focus and reached his century.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed to four wickets in the final over of the innings, ending with exceptional figures of 5/30 and becoming only the third bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in IPL history. Though his performance limited the damage in the death overs, Gill’s maiden century set up a massive total for the Titans.
