On a warm Sunday evening in Delhi, cricket fans were treated to a breathtaking display of batting brilliance as Gujarat Titan’s openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarsan rewrote the history books.
Chasing a daunting target of 200 runs set by Delhi Capitals, the young duo stunned everyone with a flawless partnership, guiding their team to a thumping 10 wickets win and straight into the playoffs. It wasn’t just a victory, it was a historic moment.
Gill and Sudarsan stitched together an unbeaten 205 run stand, the highest ever partnership in a run-chase in IPL history. The record they broke had stood strong for over a decade. Back in 2012, David Warner and Naman Ojha had posted 189 runs together for Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) against Deccan Chargers. That effort was legendary. Until now. On this day, Gill and Sudarshan made it look effortless.
Setting the Stage
The Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch was good for batting, but chasing 200 is never easy, especially in a pressure match. Delhi’s bowlers had been consistent all season, but Gill and Sudarsan had other plans. From the very first over, they looked focused, calm, and hungry.
Sudarsan was the aggressor early on, hitting the crisp boundaries all around the ground. He brought up his second IPL century, an outstanding 108* off 61 balls. His footwork was elegant, his timing flawless.
Gill, on the other hand, played the anchor role beautifully. He rotated the strike, he made the most of the bad deliveries and scored runs off them, and slowly turned up the heat. He finished unbeaten on 93 off just 53 balls. Their communication, understanding, and mutual trust made the chase feel like a stroll in the park. Not once did they look under pressure.
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A Historic Feat Among Giants
Before this special night, the IPL had already witnessed some unforgettable partnerships. Let’s look at some of the highest partnerships in IPL history that stood tall before Gill and Sudarsan raised the bar:
- Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers – 229 runs (RCB vs Gujarat Lions 2016) A ruthless assault where both the players scored centuries.
- Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers – 215 runs* (RCB vs Mumbai Indians, 2015) The duo destroyed Mumbai’s bowling, unbeaten till the end.
- KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock – 210 runs* (LSG vs KKR, 2022) A calm, classy chase led by a de Kock masterclass.
- Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarsan – 210 runs* (GT vs CSK, 2024) yes, the same pair had already made headlines just last season.
- Adam Gilchrist & Shaun Marsh – 206 runs* (KXIP vs RCB, 2011) one of the earliest examples of pure left-handed domination.
- David Warner & Naman Ojha – 189 runs* (DC vs DD, 2012) The previous highest in a run-chase, now pushed down the list.
What This Means for Gujarat Titans
This win was not just about two batters smashing records. It was a sign of Gujarat’s growing strength as a unit. This victory not only secured their spot in the playoffs but also sent a clear message to the rest of the competition. In T20 cricket, partnerships are rare and priceless. And what Gill and Sudarsan did was not about numbers, it was about trust, timing, and temperament.
As IPL 2025 heads toward its final stretch, Gujarat Titans look like a serious title contender. And with an opening pair like Gill and Sudarsan in red-hot form, their chances have only become stronger. One thing’s for sure fans will be talking about this 205-run masterpiece for years to come. Because in cricket, some innings win matches. But some like this one create history.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
