IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan takes back Orange Cap from Nicholas Pooran with a stellar fifty against KKR

Captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan scored destructive half-centuries to take Gujarat Titans to 196/ 3 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL on Monday.

During their century-opening stand, Shubman Gill almost scored another IPL ton but fell for 90 off 55 balls. His knock included 10 fours and three sixes.

Later, Jos Buttler, despite a promising start, was tied down and finished unbeaten on 41 off 23 balls (8x4s) without hitting a single six.

Opting to bowl, KKR endured a wicketless powerplay as GT made a steady start, reaching 45 for no loss. Sai Sudharshan and Gill added 114 runs for the opening stand.

KKR tried four bowlers in the powerplay, including spinners Moeen and Chakravarthy, but couldn't find a breakthrough as Sudharsan managed to take back the Orange Cap from LSG's Nicholas Pooran.

Gill and Sudharsan batted with maturity, rotating strike efficiently and picking boundaries without taking unnecessary risks.

Sudharsan now got 417 runs to his credit from eight innings while Pooran has 368. Ahead of the game, the Tamil Nadu left-hander was trialling the big-hitting Carribean by four runs. The 2001-born all-rounder was among the players Gujarat Titans retained ahead of TATA IPL 2025.

They maintained a scoring rate close to nine an over and played just one aerial shot in the first 10 overs showing their controlled approach.

The pair brought up their fifties in quick succession. Gill reached his third fifty of the season off 34 balls, while Sudharsan notched his fifth half-century from six matches with a 33-ball effort.

It was in the 13th over when Andre Russell dismissed Sudharsan (53) with a rising delivery that induced a top edge behind the stumps. He had managed six fours and a maximum before Ajinkya Rahane's team finally managed to get rid of him.