Shubman Gill’s scintillating form continued with a second successive century, powering us to victory against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. In our last league game of the 2023 season, we have recorded our highest successful run-chase so far. 

Kohli powers RCB to a big total

Royal Challengers Bangalore got off to a good start, with Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli picking up boundaries regularly. They added 67 runs for the opening wicket in a very short time, but our Afghan spin duo got us back in the game. 

Noor Ahmad got the better of Faf du Plessis to break their momentum and in the very next over, Rashid Khan castled Glenn Maxwell with an outstanding googly. To add further misery, Mahipal Lomror was sent back courtesy some terrific glove-work by Wriddhiman Saha. 

Mohammad Shami was brought into the attack just as Michael Bracewell and Kohli were ticking away and he provided a vital breakthrough. He induced a loose shot from Bracewell and scooped a skier. Yash Dayal dismissed Dinesh Karthik instantly after that to put RCB under pressure.

However, a masterful finish from Virat Kohli got the hosts to a big total. He also brought up his seventh TATA IPL century as RCB scored 197 for five in 20 overs. 

Another day, another ton for Gill

After the break, Shubman continued his blistering form with the bat, beginning his onslaught with a terrific pull, followed by a calculated loft over mid-off for another boundary. Wriddhiman Saha departed early, but our Impact Player Vijay Shankar walked out to bat at No. 3 made a difference instantly. 

Both batters got going in the final over of the powerplay, which began with a boundary for Shubman and Vijay took over to smack a six and four off consecutive deliveries. Gill went on to race towards his half-century and ensured the scoring rate remained on the higher side in the middle overs. 

In one of the moments of the match, Vijay smashed Vijaykumar Vyshak for a six that hit the roof of the Chinnaswamy Stadium and incidentally, it brought up his half-century. The duo’s 123-run partnership ended with Vijay’s wicket. 

At one end, wickets kept tumbling, the pressure was mounting as the required rate went beyond 12. But Gill maintained his composure and kept collecting vital boundaries. He smashed two sixes in the 18th over to put us in the driver’s seat, followed by another big hit in the penultimate over.

With a six down the ground, Gill completed his second consecutive century and his fourth in T20 cricket. For the second season running, we picked up 10 wins in the league stages and we move to Chennai next for Qualifier 1 against Chennai Super Kings.  

Brief Scores

Royal Challengers Bangalore 197/5 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 101*, Noor Ahmad 2/39) lost to Gujarat Titans 198/4 in 19.1 overs (Shubman Gill 104*, Vijay Shankar 53)

Player of the Match: Shubman Gill