'They were batting at a different level' - Aakash Chopra lauds Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharasan's record partnership against CSK

The Gujarat Titans (GT) put up a clinical performance to defeat the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 35 runs in the ongoing IPL 2024 on May 10 at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

After being asked to bat first, GT's opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan provided a brilliant start to the team with a record 210-run partnership. Their explosive batting drew immense praise from former India opener Aakash Chopra.

"Both openers came and hit a lot. Both - Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill - scored centuries. They were batting at a different level. The start wasn't that rapid-fire but after that, once their wagon changed gears, the flight mode was activated," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Also read: Shubman Gill fined for Code of Conduct breach

I like a lot about Sai Sudharsan: Aakash Chopra

Chopra was moved by 22-year-old Sudharshan's batting performance. "The thing I like a lot about Sai Sudharsan is that he bats very well in a cricketing fashion. He hit a six-over cover and started from there. The way he flicks the ball is top-notch. He has very quick hands and hits the balls on the stumps. Since the time is going good, the ball doesn't hit his pads, or else you feel that it might hit his pads."

Chopra was equally impressed by Gill's free-flowing batting. "Shubman Gill also started hitting from the start. He hit a very good six against the left-arm spinner after jumping down the track. He did that in the first over bowled by Mitchell Santner. After that, don't bowl on his legs. If you bowl on his legs, he keeps hitting fours." 

Also read: IPL 2024: Fan invades field to meet MS Dhoni during GT vs CSK clash

The Titans put up a monumental score of 232 runs for CSK to chase, powered by Gill's 104 off 55 balls and Sudharsan's 103 off just 51 deliveries. Tushar Deshpande was the lone bowler to pick wickets for the CSK camp. He ended with figures of 2/33 in his quota of four overs.

The duo's onslaught meant CSK was always playing catch-up despite efforts from Daryl Mitchell's 63 and 56 from Moeen Ali. However, Mohit Sharma's stellar 3/31 put breaks to the chase as GT defended their total comfortably.