Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Tushar Deshpande offered crucial relief to his team by sending back both Gujarat Titans (GT) openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill during their IPL 2024 clash in Ahmedabad on Friday May 10.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan had both scored hundreds and were poised to lead GT to a successful conclusion. However, Deshpande’s brilliant over sent both openers back to the shed after conceding only four runs in the 18th.
Tushar Deshpande’s approach of bowling slower balls and cutters into the pitch was well. Sai Sudharsan attempted to reach for one and smash it over mid-wicket. However, he could only lob it directly into Shivam Dube’s palms at short range.
Shubman Gill then attempted a pull shot off another cutter into the pitch from Deshpande, but only found Ravindra Jadeja at deep midwicket.
Here’s footage of both dismissals:
The wickets of Gill (104 off 55) and Sudharsan (103 off 51) had a significant influence on GT’s batting in the tail, as they could only score 22 runs in their final three overs, finishing at 231/3.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan Equal IPL Record for Highest Opening Partnership
Before Tushar Deshpande’s magnificent 18th over, it was the absolute dominance of two elegant batsmen who might become regulars in India’s top order for years to come.
GT had a terrific powerplay, scoring 58 runs without losing a wicket. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill then opted to alter gears even more, resulting in boundaries and sixes from both ends.
The pair amassed 210 runs, tying the IPL record for the best opening partnership previously held by Lucknow Super Giants’ Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul.