Gujarat Titans’ (GT) managed to put a challenging score of 210-4 after being made to bat by DC. The half centuries from Jos Buttler, Washington Sundar & Shubman Gill set a solid foundation for GT. DC’s bowlers had a kind of off day but they did a decent job at the death overs to slightly pull the things back.
Jos Buttler ambushed DC in the powerplay overs
DC had absolutely no hesitation to bowl first despite the surface being a batting paradise, as rain threat was also on the cards. It was a great start for GT as in 2 overs they scored 18 runs & were unscathed. Mukesh Kumar in the 3rd over castled the stumps of Sai Sudharsan, who was cramped for room & was dismissed on 12 runs. Mukesh Kumar was bowling short & wicket to wicket line & length, we can say Test match bowling which proved to be effective.
Jos Buttler displayed an attacking brand of cricket; Axar Patel was targeted from ball 1 in the 4th over by Buttler. Axar Patel showed faith in Mukesh Kumar for a third back-to-back over, which went disastrous. Jos Buttler smashed 23 runs off Mukesh’s over (*3 monstrous sixes) as Buttler was ready for all sorts of variations; he used his feet, played a ramp shot. GT scored 68 runs in 6 overs for the loss of 1 wicket.
Shubman Gill & Washington Sundar assert dominance in middle overs
Jos Buttler notched up his half centuy in 23 balls in 8th over of match. Buttler was looking ominous and it required a kind of special delivery & Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled him in 8th over. Buttler was sent back to pavillion after scoring 52 runs in 27 balls & had hit 3 fours and 5 sixes in his knock. GT’s score at that time was 79-2.
Washington Sundar got an unexpected batting promotion at No.4 position. The dismissal of Buttler somewhat proved to be blessing in disguie for GT where Shubman Gill & Washington Sundar kept the scoreboard ticking around. Vipraj Nigam was taken to cleaners in 12th over as he conceded 23 runs. GT’s score at the end of 15 overs was 161-2.
Washington Sundar & Shubman Gill end innings on a high note
GT skipper Shubman Gill silenced his critics (*was having neck spasm in previous match) by getting to his half century. Gill’s batting style wasn’t that audacious, it was a calculated approach as he first rotated the strike & then later capitalized on loose deliveries. Lungi Ngidi though in 18th over foxed Shubman Gill with his off-cutters as he was out on 70 runs in 45 balls (*4 fours and 5 sixes). Washington Sundar & Shubman Gill were involved in 104 runs partnership in 60 balls which could be massive later in the match.
Washington Sundar’s promotion was quite successful who scored his maiden IPL half century in 30 balls. Sundar scored 55 runs in 32 balls and hit 6 fours and 2 sixes. GT scored 49 runs in the last 5 overs but lost 2 wickets. Mukesh Kumar & T Natarajan bowled pin point wide off stump yorkers at the death overs. Lungi Ngidid was pick of bowler who gave away only 24 runs in his 4 over spell & took 1 wicket whereas Mukesh Kumar took 2 scalps but gave away 55 runs in his 4 overs spell.
Who’s winning, DC or GT
DC would back themselves to chase the target as the surface doesn’t have that much help for bowlers. All eyes will be on KL Rahul who needs to take the team off to a rollicking start, an early batting collpase can put GT in driver’s seat. GT haven’t won a match yet so far in IPL 2026 with 2 defeats. Mohammed Siraj & Prasidh Krishna would be key for GT to make early in roads. DC looks favorite to win match.
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