Ahmedabad: Shubman Gill failed to cross 40 for a change, but Gujarat Titans found a hero in young Sai Sudharshan in the IPL final on Monday evening.
Ironically, MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings were left bruised and battered by the 21-year-old left-hander from Chennai.
Going into bat at No. 3 after the tournament’s highest scorer Gill was brilliantly stumped by Dhoni off Ravindra Jadeja at the end of the seventh over, Sudharshan took his time before unleashing a flurry of strokes all round the field.
He made 96 gorgeous runs off just 47 deliveries, with 8 fours and 6 sixes, before falling leg-before wicket in the final over.
Opener Wriddhiman Saha chipped in with a handy 54 (5×4, 1×6), thus becoming the oldest cricketer to score a half century in an IPL final.
Skipper Hardik Pandya, who lost the toss and was asked to bat first at Narendra Modi Stadium, remained unbeaten on 21.
The final is being played on a reserve day after being washed out on Sunday.
