Sudharsan, Rabada sink CSK in a dominant Titans win

Gujarat Titans delivered a complete performance to secure an eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings, with Sai Sudharsan’s fluent 87 and Kagiso Rabada’s incisive spell proving decisive.

The result lifts Gujarat Titans to fifth on the table while CSK slip to sixth, with the match shaped early by Rabada’s new-ball burst.

Rabada dismantles CSK early

The contest was effectively set in motion during the powerplay, where Gujarat’s pace attack exploited conditions that offered pace and bounce rather than the expected assistance for spin.

Kagiso Rabada led the charge with figures of 3 for 25, striking twice in his second over after being hit for boundaries earlier. Mohammed Siraj and Jason Holder maintained relentless control, both conceding at less than a run a ball as CSK stumbled to 28 for 3 — their third-lowest powerplay total this season.

The pressure built further as Gujarat denied boundaries for 31 consecutive deliveries between overs 3.5 and 9.1. CSK took 11.6 overs to reach fifty, their second-slowest in IPL history, highlighting how effectively the Titans’ quicks dictated the game.

Gaikwad fights lone battle

Amid the collapse, Ruturaj Gaikwad held the innings together with a determined 74 not out. He scored nearly half of CSK’s 158 for 7, facing prolonged pressure as wickets fell around him.

Gaikwad absorbed 30 dot balls — the joint-second highest in an IPL innings — reflecting both the challenging conditions and the lack of support from the other end. His approach ensured CSK batted through the 20 overs, but the total remained below par given the surface.

Sudharsan leads controlled chase

Chasing 159, Gujarat Titans approached the target with composure, aware of the conditions and the required tempo. Sai Sudharsan set the tone, following up his previous century with an authoritative 87 off 46 balls, including seven sixes.

He combined effectively with Jos Buttler, who remained unbeaten on 39, as Gujarat paced the chase with clarity. Their hundred came up quicker than CSK’s fifty earlier in the match, underlining the contrast in execution.

The defining phase came early in the innings when Sudharsan established control, ensuring Gujarat never allowed the required rate to climb. From there, the chase unfolded smoothly, with the visitors completing the win comfortably.

Match context and crowd atmosphere

A crowd of 31,506 at Chepauk witnessed a game where early momentum proved decisive. The home support remained engaged, celebrating milestones such as the fifty despite the slow progress.

There was a notable reaction to Dewald Brevis’ arrival, though his season tally stands at 64 runs from 53 balls. MS Dhoni was not present, but his recorded voice continued to echo around the stadium, urging fans to raise the noise.

However, belief began to fade midway through the chase, with sections of the crowd heading for the exits around the 14th over as Gujarat tightened their grip.

What this result means

This result reinforces how decisive the powerplay can be in T20 cricket, with Rabada’s early breakthroughs leaving CSK with too much to recover.

For Gujarat Titans, the win strengthens their position in the mid-table race, while CSK’s drop to sixth reflects the impact of a batting innings that never recovered from early damage.

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