That ends a power-packed Sunday. Gujarat Titans have entered their third IPL playoffs in 4 years of experience and in doing so, they have done some community service, taking Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings along with them. Not that the other two teams did not earn it on their merit. In fact, Punjab Kings strengthened their qualification chances by defeating Rajasthan Royals in the afternoon game, where they kept their nerves with the ball to pull off a win by 10 runs. What this does is - leave only one side vacant for qualification with three teams fighting for it - Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants. LSG play on Monday, 19th May, 2025, against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground in Lucknow. A loss here for the home side would eliminate LSG. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (1400 GMT) but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Gujarat Titans' SAI SUDHARSAN HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his swashbuckling unbeaten 108 (61). Says that it feels really great to contribute to the team. Adds that there is a bit of joy when you finish games for the team, detailing that he missed out on a few games and the break that they got, he was thinking about the same and it paid off in this game. On his thought process during the run chase, Sudharsan says that after 6 overs, Delhi Capitals bowled really well and the momentum was slipping from Gujarat, but adds that he and Gill were not desperate and just took the game deep. Adds that then, they took their chances after a few overs and those paid off. Honestly analyzes, that in the earlier games, perhaps he took chances a bit too early. On what he has learnt from the season, Sai says that from his point of view, the belief in taking the game deep has improved. Doesn't think that his batting has improved as such but feels that he has certainly become more expressive. On being asked whether he can get better, SS says he definitely can, probably by working on playing better against the spinners. On the opening partnership gelling, Sai Sudharsan says that there is a lot of understanding between himself and Gill. Details that when he goes after the bowlers, Gill compliments him and vice versa. Adds that running between the wickets is important. Also says that when he makes a mistake, Gill points it out and he does the same.

The victorious skipper of Gujarat Titans, SHUBMAN GILL, says that it feels great to get the 'Q' on the board, but stresses that 2 more important games are left for his side and getting into the playoffs with a positive momentum is important. On his own batting consistency, Gill states that it feels amazing. Stresses that he has been pretty vocal about not wanting to have the burden of captaincy while batting and states that last year it was a bit of a learning for him, as he was captaining for the first time, but towards the back end, learnt a great deal. On the debate of rest vs rust, Shubman says that the GT squad was right back into the groove once the revised fixtures were announced. Details that the players were practicing and one of the things they wanted to improve was their fielding as they had dropped a lot of catches. Details that this break helped them to work on that. On Sai Sudharsan, SG says that he has been in tremendous form this season and the way he has been able to convert his starts, you don't need to talk much to him. However, he adds that sometimes when you are in such a great flow, you just need to tell yourself to not get carried away. Adds that when they are in the middle, the talk is only about to finish the game themselves because a couple of wickets could induce pressure. On the opinion of chasing down 200 at the halfway mark, the skipper honestly feels that his bowlers gave 10-15 runs extra. Does not want to take anything from the DC batters but feels that his own spinners were getting good grip. Adds that when GT went out to bat, they thought of hitting the ball in the right areas. Wants to enter the Qualifiers with as much momentum as they can.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

The assistant and batting coach for Gujarat Titans, PARTHIV PATEL, is up for a chat now. Is amazed to see the 200-run opening stand and marvels his openers. On being asked as to what makes the GT openers unique, Parthiv puts it down to the way the guys bat and know their cricket. Further adds that even though they play classical shots, there is a good power in those shots. Informs that last season, the management felt that Jos Buttler will open this season but is happy with the way Gill and Sudharsan have gelled really well. Also says that opening is all about chemistry. On coach Ashish Nehra, Patel says that Nehra is the reason why GT are up there and he is constantly around the squad, cheering everyone up.

The skipper of Delhi Capitals, AXAR PATEL, lauds GT's batters, detailing that the way they batted, if you don't pick up a wicket, it becomes easy for the batting side. Adds that as the game went on, the wicket got better. Admits that at the innings break, Delhi felt that 199 was a par score, because the way the wicket played in the Powerplay, it was a great finish, especially the way KL Rahul batted. Further says that his bowlers tried really hard but things did not go their way. On the positives from his game, Axar points towards the batting, after some struggles throughout the season, but understands the need to work on their fielding and bowling. Agrees that the ball was coming onto the bat in the second innings, detailing that in the first innings, GT's spinners got the ball to grip.

Spare a thought for KL Rahul. He made a brilliant ton to take his side to a fighting total, only to be seen brushed aside like a broom. Somewhere down the line, the toss might have played a crucial role, but to not take a single wicket in a defense of 199 does hurt. This is the third highest opening stand in the IPL overall, with 205 being the second double century stand between Sudharsan and Gill. The first 3 overs seemed to put DC off and they could never really come back, except for a brief period post the Powerplay. Everyone tried their best, but the lack of wickets just deflated them. Earlier, DC were forced to bat first on a pitch which seemed to be holding up but they did well to post a good total. Rahul's 112 stood out, but lack of strike towards the end meant that they fell 15-20 runs short.

200 did seem a daunting target at the innings break but the way the GT openers approached the new ball was phenomenal. They attacked from the word go, racking up 43 in the first 3 overs which just set the tempo for the rest of the innings. The pitch seemed to get better in the second innings and with the ball coming onto the bat nicely, the openers made merry. Also, the batting was figured out pretty nicely. In the first 50 runs of the team's total, Shubman Gill made just 12. He ended up scoring 81 runs in the next 155. Sai Sudharsan was the aggressor early on and though he did not quite slow down, Gill ramped it up, especially against the DC spinners, none of whom had ever dismissed Gill in the IPL in the past.

The first ever 10-wicket win in IPL 2025. And with this win, GT take RCB and PBKS along with them into the playoffs. The last spot will be decided between Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, with MI in the driver's seat. It was the same tried and tested formula, with one of the top 3 batting deep. In this case, only two were needed and they literally decimated the Capitals.

Vipraj Nigam is back on. 3-0-26-0 so far.

Here's Kuldeep Yadav again. 3-0-26-0 so far.