Twitter Reactions: Vijay Shankar, Sai Sudharsan power Gujarat Titans to 204

Gujarat Titans (GT) scored a humongous 204 courtesy of a scintillating performance by Vijay Shankar and Sai Sudharsan against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 13 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 9.

Notably, Hardik Pandya did not take the field as he was unwell, as confirmed by stand-in skipper Rashid Khan at the toss. Rashid decided to bat first and Gujarat’s opening duo of Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill got the runs with ease to prove his decision correct.

However, Sunil Narine claimed the wicket of Saha for 17 to break the opening partnership. But that did not stop Gill and Sai Sudharsan from keeping the side steady. The duo raised an impressive 67-run partnership before Narine struck again to dismiss Gill. 

Down the order, Vijay Shankar took the onus of hammering the big runs as he smashed five maximums and four boundaries to score an unbeaten 63 off just 24 balls. He became the second batter to score a fifty in the top-tier league while batting at no. 5 for the Titans. 

In the final over the contest, Shankar went on a hitting-spree as he dispatched the ball into the stands thrice on the trot to keep his team on top. He also raised a quick 16-ball 50-run stand with David Miller to wrap up the innings. Meanwhile, Narine got three wickets while young Suyash Sharma got one.

"It is just that I am enjoying a lot more. Last year, something was off. I did really well in domestic (this year). I just wanted to do well for my team. They retained me and I just wanted to give my 100%. The support staff have been helping me a lot since I joined the camp. Happy it worked well today," Shankar told Star Sports after his knock.

Here is how Netizens buzzed during Gujarat's sensational first innings against KKR-

Abhinav Mukund@mukundabhinav

For all the trolling and hate that vijay shankar has received for the lack of performances. This is some comeback- 3 centuries in the ranji trophy and now a stellar start to the IPL. #GTvKKR

05:17 PM · Apr 09, 2023

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zaheer khan@ImZaheer

Some great striking down the ground from Vijay Shankar. KKR's pace attack erred in length at the death and looked one-dimensional

05:27 PM · Apr 09, 2023

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Irfan Pathan@IrfanPathan

Vijay Shankar is batting with different flow this year. Top hitting 👏

05:14 PM · Apr 09, 2023

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Sagar@sagarcasm

Vijay Shankar making runs in World Cup year Surya Kumar Yadav right now:

05:11 PM · Apr 09, 2023

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Ridhima Pathak@PathakRidhima

Absolute destruction from Vijay Shankar. Is he the completely changed batsman we have seen before? First IPL fifty. Three consecutive sixes in the last over, helping his team get past the 200-run score. #GTvsKKR

05:18 PM · Apr 09, 2023

1367

Pulkit🇮🇳@pulkit5Dx

Vijay Shankar 🤝World Cup year😭😂

05:10 PM · Apr 09, 2023

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arfan@Im__Arfan

You open the scorecard to check scores & you see 63*(24) next to Vijay Shankar

05:20 PM · Apr 09, 2023

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Saurabh Malhotra@MalhotraSaurabh

This man's magical powers have brought out a different Vijay Shankar to the IPL 🙏🏼

05:07 PM · Apr 09, 2023

75640

Tonygaaaadu@tonygaaaadu

Vijay shankar playing with more than 260 strike rate.. #IPL2023 #GTvKKR

05:14 PM · Apr 09, 2023

1218

Ajatashatru@militaryrule

> World Cup year > SKY in bad form > Shreyas Iyer injured > Rishabh Pant injured > Vijay Shankar existing

04:48 PM · Apr 09, 2023

600

Rampy.@RiserTweex

Legends never die , they do respawn VijayShankar 63 off 24 #GTvsKKR

05:17 PM · Apr 09, 2023

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