IPL: Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan power Gujarat Titans to 200/3 against RCB

NEW DELHI: Shahrukh Khan seized the opportunity of his elevated batting position, crafting his maiden IPL fifty with aplomb as Sai Sudharsan anchored Gujarat Titans (GT) to a formidable 200 for three against Royal Challengers Bengaluru ( RCB ) in Ahmedabad.

Positioned at number four, Shahrukh's blistering 58 off 30 deliveries, combined with Sudharsan's unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, injected momentum into the Titans' innings following a subdued start.

Their partnership, worth 86 runs off just 45 balls, revitalised the Titans' batting effort. Meanwhile, RCB, with Glenn Maxwell 's return from a brief hiatus, opted to field first under the scorching Ahmedabad sun.

Wriddhiman Saha's brief innings of 5 off 4 deliveries came to an end in the opening over bowled by left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh. Attempting an aerial shot over extra cover, Saha mistimed the stroke, resulting in a catch by Karn Sharma at third man.

RCB's skipper, Shubman Gill, managed 16 runs before falling victim to Cameron Green's exceptional fielding prowess. Green sprinted to his left at long-on to snatch a remarkable catch off Maxwell's delivery.

In a strategic move, GT promoted Shahrukh ahead of other notable batsmen like Azmatullah Omarzai and David Miller. This decision proved fruitful as Shahrukh aggressively targeted the spinners, particularly in the cow corner region, smashing five sixes and three fours to reach his maiden IPL fifty.

However, his innings was cut short by Mohammed Siraj 's sharp yorker after scoring 58 runs.

Miller, unbeaten on 26 off 19 balls, partnered with Sai Sudharsan to guide GT to a competitive total. Their unbeaten partnership of 69 runs off 36 deliveries ensured the team reached a par score.

Sudharsan continued his impressive form with a second consecutive fifty-plus score, comprising eight fours and four sixes, anchoring the Titans' innings effectively.

(With PTI inputs)