The action returned in the sixteenth edition of the Indian Premier League for the penultimate time as Gujarat Titans, the reigning champions of the IPL took on Mumbai Indians in an attempt to seal a spot in the final of IPL 2023. GT lost to Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 while Mumbai Indians got past the Lucknow Super Giants in the eliminator. The winner of Qualifier 2 will face Chennai in the season finale to be played in the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, May 28.
The Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bowl first on a track that clearly favours batting. The Gujarat Titans looked to capitalise on the situation and set their best foot forward in erecting a mammoth target for the Indians to chance. As is obvious, Shubman Gill was at the heart of the batting performance with yet another century in IPL 2023. In the process, he also surpassed Faf du Plessis in the charts for most runs in the season, becoming the frontrunner to winning the prestigious Orange Cap.
Mumbai Indians have a mammoth target of 234 runs
Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill tried to set the foundation for GT’s middle order to erect a massive total. However, Saha could only manage 18 off 16 balls while Shubman Gill took on the aggressor’s role. The first wicket stand resulted in 54 runs. But Gill remained unbothered by his opening partner’s dismissal as Sai Sudarshan joined him at the crease. Gill went on to score 129 off 60 balls, courtesy of seven boundaries and 10 maximums. Gill’s run tally for the season is now boosted up to 851 runs, followed by Faf du Plessis at 730.
Sai Sudarshan added 43 off 31 and retired out giving Rashid Khan a go for the final over. Hardik Pandya with 28 off 13 and Rashid Khan with 5 off 2 batted out the final over as GT scored a mammoth 233 runs in their 20 overs. Mumbai Indians will now have to score 234 runs if they want to stay alive for a shot at their sixth IPL trophy. GT on the other hand have a simpler job of defending the massive total to reach their second consecutive IPL final.
Here’s how fans reacted:
2 catches drop and one stump out miss ????
Fluke in my book— 520 jagadishwar reddy (@520Reddy) May 26, 2023
Shubman Gill be like: 'Hey bowlers, I've got a Gill-ty pleasure of smashing boundaries! Catch me if you can!' ??
— N I K H I L (@nikhilkalavale) May 26, 2023
Shubhman Gill in 2023 is similar to Virat Kohli in 2016 IPL. Exceptional batting! ??
— Shahzeb Khan (@theshahzebkhan) May 26, 2023
Scenes in the Narendra Modi Stadium after Shubman Gill 100 :
Sara Tendulkar Shubman Gill pic.twitter.com/KAbCuMX1zY
— Mohit (@CricketHolik) May 26, 2023
City of oranges nagpur to gill pic.twitter.com/Em3RqJXn0P
— Sarcastic Cowboy (@SarcasticCowboy) May 26, 2023
175 isn’t looking safe.
— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952) May 26, 2023
What a guy! He is already competing with the greats. He has a long path to go?
— Freak (@soul_freak80) May 26, 2023
You see players dominate either spin or pace. But the ones who can dominate both are very special cricketers. And undeniably Shubman Gill is a special one. What a player, what an elegant player.
Stand up & applaud. Ahmedabad, you witnessed something extraordinary tonight. pic.twitter.com/q8L6roC5Wg
— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) May 26, 2023
