Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings , Full Score Card

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Done and Dusted as GUJARAT TITANS WIN BY 89 RUNS. An excellent review and Kagiso Rabada wraps things up here. Good-length delivery, on middle and leg, takes off sharply and angles away. Spencer Johnson backs away and has a tentative poke, but the ball zips past the outside edge into the gloves of Jos Buttler. Rabada appeals for a caught behind but does not get much support from the keeper. However, Gill trusts his bowler and takes the review. UltraEdge shows a big spike when the ball is next to the bat, and that brings a damning end to CSK's season.

Spencer Johnson is the last man in for CSK.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! And the procession continues for the men in yellow. GT are just one step away from a massive victory. On a back of a length, at 141 kph, angling into the body. Noor looks to tuck it leg side but the ball gets big on him, hits the splice of the bat and balloons back towards the bowler. Rabada takes a simple return catch. CSK are 140/9.

Swing and a miss! Hard length, just outside off. Noor Ahmad presses back to thrash it away, only to miss.

Kicks up from a length, on top of off. Noor stands tall and dabs it with soft hands to backward point.

Dot to finish! Pushed through quicker, short again, on middle, Mukesh Choudhary tries to heave it away but misses and gets hit around his waist. Just 4 runs and 2 wickets in the over!

Flatter, short and on middle, Mukesh Choudhary looks to pull it away but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a brace.

CSK are falling apart in a hurry now. Mukesh Choudhary comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid has his third wicket. Clever bowling from the crafty Afghan leggie. He dishes it outside off, and offers some flight on a shorter length. Dewald Brevis flashes hard at it, looking to smash it over mid off, but gets it sliced in the air off the outer half of the bat. Jason Holder at cover, settles under it and takes a dolly. Brevis departs and the Super Kings are 138/8, needing 92 runs.

WIDE! Far outside off, beyond the tramline. Brevis leaves.

Short and outside off. Noor unleashes a reverse pull to deep backward point for a single.

An absolute jaffa! Drifts in and around off, on a fuller length. Lands and grips away to square Noor up as he is beaten on the outside edge.

Into the tail now. Noor Ahmad walks out to face his countryman.

OUT! SLICED UP AND TAKEN! Rashid ends Kamboj's fun. A conventional leg break outside off, on the shorter side. Anshul Kamboj does not move his feet at all and throws his bat at it to whack it over covers, but ends up slicing it in the air. Offers a simple catch to Jason Holder at backward point. It has been all or nothing for the Super Kings in this chase and they are reduced to 136/7, needing 94 runs from 47 balls.

Nails the yorker in, on middle. Brevis' head falls over, but he drops down his bat and shovels it back to the bowler. 13 runs off the over.

At 142.4 kph, short on top of middle and leg. Anshul Kamboj swivels and pulls it uppishly, behind square on the leg side for an easy single.

Low full toss, on the pads, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Tails back in from middle, on a fuller length. Kamboj whips off the pads to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Off the inside edge! Slightly fuller and nipping into the batter. Anshul Kamboj swipes across the line but gets a thick inside edge and the ball squirts away through backward square leg for a boundary.

SIX! PUNISHED! Back of a length by Prasidh, on middle, Anshul Kamboj picks the length in a trice. Stands tall and pumps it behind wide long on for a six.

Just out of reach! Length-delivery on the off stump. Anshul swings hard but fails to clear the inner ring and the ball pops up. Holder runs across to his right from cover and dives with his outstretched right hand, but cannot get there. A single taken.

SIX! Goes all the way! Full and on middle, seemingly a googly by Rashid. Anshul gets low on his knee and slog sweeps it perfectly over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Flat on a good length, spins in. Kamboj presses forward and inside edges it onto his pad.

The Shivam Dube show is over now. Anshul Kamboj is the new batter in.

OUT! MISTIMED AND CAUGHT! Rashid unleashes his craft this time around and fishes out Dube. He bowls it wide outside off, and pulls back the length a bit as well. Shivam Dube is neither on the back foot, nor on the front foot. Tries to work it away staying midway and ends up chipping it in the air over cover. Shubman Gill shows his acrobatics as he backtracks a bit and dives to his left and takes an absolute stunner. A breezy 47 from Dube. CSK are 116/6, needing 114 runs.

SIX! High and handsome! A slot ball from Rashid, on leg. Dube clears the front leg, gets down on a knee and slog sweeps it massively over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Dube and Brevis.

On middle and leg, on a length. Brevis punches it down to the right of Rashid for a single.

Halfway through the chase. The Titans have the upper hand, but CSK are not going down without a fight here. There is not much difference in terms of runs between the two sides. CSK are 109/5, and GT were 111/0. Just that CSK have lost too many wickets en route. The Super Kings need 121 from 60 balls. Spin introduced with Rashid Khan.

In the blockhole, on middle, Dewald Brevis jams it down the pitch. Jason Holder gets down on his follow-through, but the ball parries off his right hand behind. They cross. 18 runs off the over!

Gets the bouncer high enough this time, on middle, Shivam Dube goes for the pull but gets a top edge on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Into the stands! Back of a length and on middle, sits up nicely for the tall man. Shivam Dube pounces on it in a flash and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

Excellent yorker, on middle, Shivam Dube cannot do anything about that and digs it out to short cover.

FOUR! 100 UP FOR CSK! Short of a length and outside off, Shivam Dube gets his hands high up to get over the bounce and cuts it over backward point for a boundary. 10 runs off the first two balls, and Dube will look to convert this into a big one.

SIX! Shivam Dube is playing a blinder here! Fuller delivery, on middle, in the slot. Dube clears his front leg away, uses his long levers to tonk it over the long on fence for a biggie.

STRATEGIC BREAK! CSK are progressing at 10s an over, but they have lost too many wickets in the process to keep that intent flowing. Also, this is their last recognised batting pair and they still require 139 runs from 66 balls. Though Shivam Dube has been proactive, they will have to keep their foot down as the asking rate is 12.64 right now. GT, meanwhile, will look to wrap this up quickly and boost the net run rate to make their case stronger for a top-two finish. Jason Holder (1-0-9-0) to continue after the break.

Pitched up and angling into the leg side, Shivam Dube works it through mid-wicket for one. A longish over from Arshad and he goes for 19 runs from it.

Fuller one and on middle and leg, Dewald Brevis tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Nails the yorker, on middle, Shivam Dube jams it out to long on for a run.

WIDE! Pitched up but down the leg side, Shivam Dube fails to get any bat on it this time. Wided again.

FOUR! The runs continue to flow! Good length but down the leg side, begging to be put away. Shivam Dube does not miss out and glances it to the fine leg fence for four more runs.

WIDE! A bouncer but too high for the batter, Shivam Dube ducks under it. Wided.

Mohammed Siraj runs to the bowler and has a quick word with Arshad, putting his hand on his shoulder. Good to resume.

FOUR! Up and over! Overcorrection from Arshad Khan as he bowls this full, around off. Shivam Dube stays put in his crease, extends his arms and thumps it over mid off for a boundary.

SIX! SMACKED! Short of a length and well outside off, Shivam Dube accepts the width on offer and slaps it over the deep point fence for a biggie.

CSK need 158 runs from 78 balls. Arshad Khan (1-0-5-0) to continue.

PUT DOWN! A heroic effort, but it just does not stick! Fuller delivery and on off, Shivam Dube thumps it aerially towards mid off. Shubman Gill leaps high and tries to grab it with his outstretched right hand but the ball just hits his fingertips and pops behind him. A single taken.

Hits the deck hard and around off, Dewald Brevis punches it to sweeper cover for one.

Back of a length and outside off, Shivam Dube looks to cut but gets an outside edge again, but this time the third man fielder is much straighter to cut it off. They cross.

FOUR! Edgy! Short of a length and around off, Shivam Dube slashes it and gets an outside edge that races to the third man fence for a boundary.

Hard length and on off, Shivam Dube stabs it out to mid off.

Pitched up and around off, Shivam Dube lofts it over extra covers for a couple of runs.

All going GT's way now. They were spotless with the bat, and have been really sharp in the field as well. Shivam Dube walks in at number 7.

OUT! KARTIK SHARMA IS RUN OUT! Overpitched delivery, on off, Sharma drills it towards mid off. His weight is on the back foot, so he is a bit late to set off for the run. Shubman Gill picks up the ball, takes him and hits the bullseye at the bowler's end with Kartik putting in a desperate dive to save himself. Gill already signals Out, but the third umpire is called in. The replay shows that when Kartik puts the dive in, his bat pops up in the air and stays there when the ball hits the stumps. He is disappointed but has to walk back now. CSK lose half their side.

Direct hit at the bowling end by Gill. The GT skipper thinks Kartik is short. The third umpire is called in and the replays confirm it. Kartik's bat pops up as he attempts to slide it in with a dive and he has to go.

FOUR! Put away! Fuller delivery, shaping into the pads this time, Kartik Sharma brings his wrists into play and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Three dots in a row! Arshad Khan hits the good length and in the channel outside off, shapes away a bit. Kartik Sharma has a poke at it from the crease but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short of a length and just outside off, Kartik Sharma backs away to upper cut it but moves a bit too far away and misses.

Bangs in a quick bouncer at 136.6 kph, on middle, Kartik Sharma ducks under it.

Low full toss, on off, Dewald Brevis drills it to mid off for a single.

That's the end of the Powerplay. CSK did manage to smash 58 runs, but they have lost far too many wickets than they would have liked. CSK still need 172 runs from 84 balls. And now then, Arshad Khan is brought into the attack. He replaces Mohammed Siraj.

FOUR! Gets it away! Hits the deck hard and on off, Kartik Sharma rides the bounce well, opens the bat face and just stomps it onto the ground. He finds the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary. CSK are 58/4 at the end of the Powerplay!

Good length and around off, Kartik Sharma opens the bat face and steers it to point.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, jags back in sharply into the body of the batter. Dewald Brevis gets tucked up but manages to glove it down to the leg side for a run.

Back of a length and around off, Kartik Sharma hops up and pats it towards point for a run.

Short of a length and on off, Dewald Brevis dabs it through point for a single.

It's going downhill for CSK now. The top four did show positive intent, but they are wrapped up in just 31 balls. In walks Dewald Brevis at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kagiso Rabada gets among the wickets now. He hits the deck hard, on middle, gets it to angle in just a bit. Matthew Short uses his feet and tries to smack it down the ground, but gets it from the inside half of the bat.  He does not get the elevation as the ball lobs up towards mid on, where Prasidh Krishna takes a simple catch. CSK are 51/4, chasing 230 runs.

Full and outside off, shaping away a shade bit. Kartik Sharma gets on the front foot and perhaps tries to play it a lot straighter down the ground, but the ball moves away and he ends up slicing it over cover. But luckily for him, the ball lands safely in the deep for two runs. 50 UP FOR CSK!

Oh, nearly dragged on! Nip-backer on a length, just outside off. Kartik presses back and tries to punch it away, but gets an inside edge and the ball bounces over the stumps to the keeper.

At 143.1 kph, this is short and outside off. Short backs away and scythes it to deep backward point for a single.

FOUR! Good execution! Spears it quite fuller and around off. Short moves a long way across off, gets the bat under the ball and nails the scoop shot over short fine leg for a boundary. He moves to 23 off 12.

Straighter at the stumps, on a fuller length. Matthew Short drills it straight back at the bowler. Siraj gets a bit of hand on it and it is deflected to the right of mid off.

Full at 139.1 kph, around off. Kartik gets a good stride out and drives it to the left of mid off for a single.

FOUR! Top shot! Rabada goes fuller and on middle and leg with the ball reversing a bit. Matthew Short plants the front foot across, brings his bat in front of the pad and flicks it nicely through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Another one bowled over 150 kph, on leg and on a length. Matthew Short misses the flick as the ball jags back in and is hit on the thigh pad.

At a searing pace of 152.5 kph, this is pushed fuller on middle. Matthew Short tries to hit it down the ground, but gets an inside edge as the ball cuts back in and rolls away to deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Pulls the length slightly, on middle and leg. Kartik tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! High quality shot! Pitched very full and around off. Kartik Sharma presents straight bat and hits it through the line. Drives it down the ground, beating mid off to his right for a boundary.

Hard length, outside off, Short hangs back and dabs it to the right of backward point for a quick run.

Full and outside off, Kartik plays it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Short of a length and around off, Kartik Sharma steers it away wide of deep third for a brace.

Mohammed Siraj is wreaking havoc in Ahmedabad. That brings Kartik Sharma out to the middle. He is the Impact Sub for CSK, replacing Gurjapneet Singh.

Gurjapneet Singh is substituted by Kartik Sharma

OUT! HIGH IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Siraj has his third wicket and GT are right on top. That hung up there for an eternity. Length ball, straighter on off and middle. Urvil stays rooted and looks to swipe across the line. Swings hard and gets a top edge. The ball balloons high into the night sky behind square on the leg side. Prasidh Krishna at deep backward square gets underneath it and takes a superb catch under by planting his left knee into the ground to balance himself up. Chennai Super Kings are in deep trouble now with 3 down on just 29. They need 201 more from 104 balls.

GT lose a review! Sharp bouncer by Siraj, on the leg stump line, climbing on the batter at shoulder height. Urvil gets a bit inside the line to play the pull shot but misses and the ball flies back to Buttler. A slight appeal for caught behind, but not given. And it is actually Washington Sundar from point who is very convinced. But not such confidence from Buttler or the bowler either. However, Gill takes the review eventually. UltraEdge shows that flat line. Urvil stays.

Is that out? Jos Buttler and the fielders near him suggest they have heard something, and Shubman Gill sends it upstairs. However, there is a flat line on the UltraEdge with ball nowhere near the bat.

CSK skipper's fun is cut short now. Urvil Patel comes out to the middle.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Siraj strikes back strongly and unleashes his signature celebration. Siraj bashes the ball on a length, and gets it to nip back in on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad lines up for hitting it across and over the leg side, but the ball lands and stays a tad low on the bounce. Beats his inside edge and crashes into the stumps behind. A mini cameo from Gaikwad comes to an end. CSK ar 29/2, needing 201 runs.

SIX! DEEP INTO THE CROWD! Offers a half-volley, on middle, does Siraj. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets the front foot across and plays the pick-up shot. Keeps his head still and dumps it behind deep square leg for a huge six.

Straightens from a good length, outside off. Short punches off the back foot to cover-point. 13 runs from the first Rabada over. CSK need 207 runs from 108 balls.

SIX! That's a fine, fine shot by the Aussie! An in-angler from Rabada, full on the pads. Matthew Short picks it up nicely and whips it comfortably over deep square leg for an 85-meter long six into the crowd.

Skiddy delivery, on a length at 149.3 kph. Short is hurried on the pull shot and toe ends it to mid on.

Back of a length, spitting up and around off. Matthew Short dabs it off the back foot to short third.

Good work by Siraj in the deep. Short of a good length, outside off. Matthew Short hangs back on the toes and crunches it to deep backward point's right. Mohammed Siraj runs and dives in the deep to cut it off. Two taken.

WIDE! Too straight down leg, on a length. Short tries to play the pick-up shot but misses.

FOUR! Into the gap. Quality shot from Short. Rabada lands it outside off on a fuller length. Matthew Short takes out a good stride forward and creams it between mid off and cover for a boundary.

End of an eventful first over! Kagiso Rabada to share the attack.

Overpitched and tailing in on middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad forces it away to mid off. So 10 runs and a wicket from the first over.

SIX! Not exactly where he intended, but he will take it. Siraj fires it full and outside off. Gaikwad shuffles a long way across to scoop it over the leg side, but gets a thick outisde edge and it flies over deep third for a six.

FOUR! Gloriously played! Serves it full and around off, does Siraj. Not much movement this time around and Gaikwad leans on it, pumping it over mid off for a boundary to get CSK and himself underway in the chase.

Angles in and around middle and leg, Gaikwad flicks the full ball to mid-wicket.

Pitched full and on middle, shaping away gently. Ruturaj drives it straight to mid off.

You can't ask for a better start than that one. Ruturaj Gaikwad walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Perfect start for Siraj and GT. Outswinging delivery, full in length, outside off. Sanju Samson's feet go nowhere and he tries to thrash it away through the off side, but only gets a thin outside edge to the keeper. Jos Buttler gathers it safely without much fuss. A forgetful evening for Samson as he is gone on a golden duck. CSK in trouble from the first ball as they are 0/1, chasing 230.

OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT! A consolation wicket for Choudhary and CSK. Full and wide by Mukesh, outside the off stump. Washington Sundar throws his bat away to hit it through the covers, but only manages to get a faint outside edge behind to the keeper. Urvil Patel with a straightforward catch. 13 runs from the final over and GT finish strongly at 229/4.

Keeps it outside the off stump, does Mukesh, on a fuller length. Jos Buttler lofts it on the bounce to deep cover for a single. Had to reach out for it.

Yorker outside off, Sundar tries to squeeze it out but gets an inside edge and the ball squirts it past the stumps for a single at short fine leg.

SIX! Some shot by Sundar! Full ball outside off from around the wicket, 136.6 kph. Sundar stays deep in his crease and bends low by reaching out for it. He generates just enough power to slice it over and clear the small boundary at deep third.

Low full outside off, Buttler carves it away to deep point for just a single.

FOUR! Buttler at his very best! Mukesh serves it full and around off. Jos Buttler sees mid on in the circle and hammers it over the fielder for a boundary. Didn't quite get the connection from the middle, but he just had to clear the in-field and he did so nicely.

Last over coming up. It will be Mukesh Choudhary to bowl it.

Full and around leg, Jos Buttler misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken. There is also an appeal for LBW, but not given. CSK takes a review. However, Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitching outside leg.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR JOS BUTTLER! Off just 23 balls to get to his 28th IPL half century. Buttler reads the bowler's plan well and sets himself into a good position. Kamboj again feeds it miles outside off for a yorker, and Buttler just thumps over the leaping extra cover fielder for a boundary to get to his milestone.

FOUR! Buttler unleashing his skills! Pushes outside off for a yorker, but Buttler gets under the ball nicely and crashes it over the cover fielder and beats the long off man to his left for a boundary.

Two wickets in two balls for CSK. Washington Sundar comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TEWATIA IS RUN OUT! Excellent piece of fielding by the CSK skipper. Well-executed yorker from Kamboj, outside off. Rahul drills it down to long off and calls for a single. The ball bullets away to Gaikwad who is quick to pick and releases a direct hit to the bowling end with Tewatia forced to slide his bat in. The CSK players are confident and start celebrating. The replay shows that Tewatia is caught just short of his crease. He comes and goes.

Is that a run out? CSK players look very confident and the replay shows that Rahul Tewatia is well short of his crease.

The next batter in is Rahul Tewatia.

OUT! CAUGHT EASILY! Something for Kamboj to celebrate in an otherwise expensive outing. Anshul bowls it very full and outside the off stump. Sai crouches his back knee a bit and tries to thump it down the ground, but fails to get under the ball. Hits it off the toe end of the bat and sails it straight into the hands of Dewald Brevis at long off. Brevis takes it comfortably with a reverse cup in front of his face. Sai Sudharsan's fun ends on a well-compiled 84. GT are 207/2, 10 balls left.

SIX! Goodness me, he has got the distance and how! Kamboj keeps feeding miles outside off and it is the full toss as well. Sai stays deep in the crease, and slices it well over the deep point fence for a six. Wonderful execution from Sudharsan. Not so great bowling from Kamboj.

Who bowls the 19th? It will be Anshul Kamboj. Also, CSK have been handed a penalty for Slow Over Rate. They can only have four fielders outside the circle for the last couple of overs.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Gurjapneet goes short by taking the pace off, outside off. Jos Buttler has to wait for months for the ball to arrive. Shuffles in the crease by going outside off and swats it powerfully into the long on and deep mid-wicket gap for a cracking four. Gurjapneet Singh goes for 15 in his final over and ends his spell with 4-0-31-0. 200 UP FOR THE TITANS!

Nice comeback. Yorker outside off, Sai carves it through mid off for a single.

SIX! Dismissed out of his presence! A real loosener from Singh. Full toss dipping below the waist, on off. Sai Sudharsan goes deep in the crease and heaves it behind deep mid-wicket for a six.

Good deceptive slower bouncer at just 100.5 kph. Short and outside off. Buttler moves outside off and tries to fetch that for a pull shot, but inside edges it to the square leg region for a single. So far, so good by Gurjapneet.

Runs from around the stump and slants it across the batter, too full. Sai spreads across the crease and paddles it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Wide full toss, dipping on the batter, outside off. Jos Buttler slices it to deep backward point for a single.

WIDE! Again, trying for the wide yorker plan, but it goes all wrong for Singh. He misses his radar and bowls it well outside the tramline. Buttler ignores.

Gurjapneet Singh is back on.

Gets away with it, does Johnson. Darts in a yorker, outside off. Jos Buttler fails to get under it and gets a thick bottom edge. The ball rolls to long off for one only. 13 runs off the over. 4-0-47-1 for Spencer tonight.

Around the stump, full and outside off. Sudharsan carves it along the turf to long off for one more. And goodness me, that's an enormous No Ball from Spencer as he oversteps. Free Hit coming up...

Another yorker by Spencer, around off. Buttler shuffles in the crease and is cramped up for space, but still he manages to knock it away to long off for a run.

Changes the angle of attack by going around the stump. Bowls a perfect yorker outside off. Sai drops his bat down by opening the face and guides it to deep third for a single.

A low full toss, outside off again. Jos Buttler smashes it down to long off for a single.

Another wide yorker, but this time it is well within the tramline. Jos fails to dig it out and is beaten on the outside edge.

WIDE! Tries to bowl away from the hitting zone, but fires it a bit too wide, outside the tramline. Jos Buttler tries to squeeze it out but misses. Wide called.

SIX! Creamed into the stands! Pushed outside off, on a fuller length. Enough room for Jos to free his arms. Gets under the ball and pumps it over long off for half a dozen runs. Absolutely fantastic from the Englishman.

Fair delivery! Keeps it away from the hitting arc of the batter, wide outside off, almost a yorker. Sai bends and reaches out for it, trying to carve it over point, but misses. It is not called a wide and Sudharsan sends it upstairs for a review. The replay shows that the wide guideline remains as it, as Sai hasn't moved across at the point of release. The ball stays within the line. GT lose the review.

SIX! This is just effortless batting! A half volley, outside off. Sai Sudharsan hits it through the line, but despite the bat twisting at the point of contact, he manages to sail it over the long off fielder for a six. Just for a brief moment, Matthew Short looks in the game, but watches it fly well over.

Goes for the wide yorker to the right-hander, outside off. Jos Buttler extends his arms and takes it on the full, hitting it uppishly, but to the left of cover for a single.

Wide full toss, outside off, Sudharsan drills it on a couple of bounces to long off for a single.

WIDE! Far outside off, breaching the tramline, Sai leaves it alone.

FOUR! Muscled away! Short of a good length from over the stump. This is wide outside off and Sai dines on it. Hits it over the extra cover fielder for a cracking boundary.

From around the stump, Anshul bowls a wide yorker outside off. Jos reaches out for it, takes it on the full but only manages an inside edge. The ball squirts past the stumps to the leg side for a single.

Righto, last 5 overs to go. Anshul Kamboj (2-0-28-0) returns into the attack.

Nails the yorker, on off, Sai Sudharsan jams it out back to the bowler.

Low full toss, around off, Jos Buttler forces it towards extra cover for one.

Much fuller and outside off, Jos Buttler drills it hard but straight to extra cover.

SIX! One hand off the bat? Does not matter for Jos Buttler! Back of a length and just around off. Buttler just has to reach for it to pull and loses his bottom hand. Still generates enough power to send it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Short of a length and on off, Sai Sudharsan swats it down to long on or a single.

Mukesh Choudhary sees the batter move across and serves it in the blockhole, outside off. Sai Sudharsan looks for the scoop but gets tangled up as the ball goes off the bottom edge onto his pads.

STRATEGIC BREAK! GT going at great guns, and why not? They have 9 wickets in hand and are en route to a strong finish with the likes of Sudharsan and Buttler settling in well. They did lose Gill, but the foundation is very strong for the others to feast on. Barring Gurjapneet Singh, who has bowled an excellent spell so far, it has been a tormenting evening for the CSK bowlers overall. They need wickets quickly to prevent a score above 220 or more. Mukesh Choudhary (2-0-15-0) is back on after the break. He replaces Spencer Johnson.

SIX! Effortless! Flighted, full and on middle, in the slot as well. Jos Buttler is not going to miss out as he gets under it and launches it over the wide long on fence for half a dozen more. 22 runs off the over. This brings up the 150 for GT.

Two wides! Flatter, full but down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan goes down to paddle it away but misses. The keeper also fails to collect it cleanly. A wide given and a bye taken.

Slows it up, shortish and on leg, Jos Buttler tucks it to the vacant mid on region for a run.

Drops it short and on middle, Jos Buttler nudges it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

SIX! Up, up and away! Fighted, full and on middle, turns in, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and smokes it with spin over the cow corner fence for a biggie.

Goes short and around off, Sai Sudharsan swats it wide of long on for a single.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Tossed up, full and on off, Sai Sudharsan gets right underneath it and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Nice little phase for CSK. They have managed to bowl a few quiet overs, with only 18 runs having come in the last 3 overs.

On a length and on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to extra cover.

Fuller one and outside off, takes pace off, Jos Buttler slashes at it but fails to connect.

Pitched up and on off, Jos Buttler drives it to mid off.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Good length but down the leg side, Jos Buttler just tickles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Finally, a wicket for the Super Kings as they manage to separate the GT openers. The groundwork has been laid nicely, though, for a strong finish. Jos Buttler walks in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Spencer Johnson gets the breakthrough CSK were desperate for here. This is pitched full and on middle and leg, Shubman Gill looks to loft it down the ground, but goes through the shot a bit early as the ball stops on him. It takes the leading edge of the bat and goes high in the air behind mid-wicket. Shivam Dube backpedals a long way, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a fine catch tumbling backwards. End of a massive 125-run opening stand.

Follows the batter, full and around leg, Sai Sudharsan backs away but gets cramped up to flick as the ball goes off his pads towards backward point. A leg bye taken.

Change? Yup. Spencer Johnson (2-0-30-0) is brought back on. He replaces Gurjapneet Singh.

Short again and outside off, Sai Sudharsan punches it through cover-point for one more.

Dragged back and around off, Shubman Gill heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Fires this one full and on leg, Shubman Gill fails to flick it away and gets hit on the pads.

Pushed through quicker, short and around off, Shubman Gill changes his stance for the reverse sweep but does not get a clean connection. The ball hits the gloves and rolls to the left of the keeper.

Short and on middle, Shubman Gill nudges it to mid-wicket. Sai wants the run but is sent back and has to put in a dive.

FIFTY FOR SUDHARSAN! He has made batting look easy this season, as this is his fifth consecutive half-century. He joins an elite list of Virender Sehwag, David Warner, and Jos Buttler for the most consecutive 50-plus scores in the history of IPL. This is floated, shortish and on middle, Sai Sudharsan works it towards short fine for a single. Just a raise of the bat towards the dugout to acknowledge the appreciation.

Noor Ahmad (1-0-16-0) is back on. He replaces Shivam Dube.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Sai Sudharsan cuts it away to deep point for one more. Just 10 from the over. Gurjapneet Singh's bowling figures read 3-0-16-0.

Despite three wides, it's been a fine over from Singh so far.

WIDE! Loses his radar completely, spills it full but way down the leg side, Sai Sudharsan is nowhere near the ball. Third wide of the over.

Pace off, full and on off, Sai Sudharsan gets across and tucks it with soft hands towards the mid-wicket region and comes back for the second run.

Hard-length delivery, on off, Shubman Gill punches it towards extra cover for a run.

Short of a length and around off, angling across the batter, pace on, Shubman Gill misses out on his pull shot.

WIDE! Again! Slower and fuller, well outside off again, Shubman Gill throws his bat at it but fails to reach out. Called wide.

WIDE! Fuller one but way outside off, Shubman Gill leaves it alone.

Back of a length and angling into the leg side, Sai Sudharsan heaves it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a single.

A loopy delivery, outside off, Sai Sudharsan comes down the track, reaches out to take it on the fll and drills it to sweeper cover for a brace.

FOUR! Runs coming easily for the Titans. Dube rolls his fingers on the ball and takes pace off. Short on middle. Shubman Gill brings his wrists into play. Gets across and pulls it over backward square leg for a boundary. 15 runs off the over. At halfway, GT are motoring comfortably at 111/0.

FOUR! Expertly played! On a back of a length, outside off. Shubman Gill steps out of the crease by staying leg side. Hops on the toes to ride the bounce and square cuts it to the right of the diving Sarfaraz Khan at short third for a boundary.

Acrobatic stuff from Brevis. Off cutter, dug in short and on top of off. Shubman Gill waits on it and controls the pull shot along the ground to the right of deep mid-wicket. Dewald Brevis covers a lot of ground to his right and dives to cut that off. Two taken.

Pushed outside off, on a fullish length. Sai Sudharsan slaps it to deep point for a single.

Good length, outside off, Sai gets on the toes and cuts it straight to backward point.

FOUR! Creamed away to the fence! Dube bowls a length ball, outside off. Sai Sudharsan gives the bowler the charge and hits it through the meat of the bat, punching it into the cover gap for a boundary. 100 UP FOR GUJARAT TITANS!

Hard length, outside off, Sai Sudharsan gets on top of the bounce by striding ahead and knocks it all along the ground, to the left of deep point for a single.

FOUR! Untidy from Gurjapneet Singh! Short delivery angling away outside off, Sudharsan slashes it aerially behind square on the off side. Gurjapneet moves to his left from deep third, gets to the ball but misfields as the turn after the second bounce deceives him. Four runs.

Overthrows! Really sloppy by CSK. Length ball, angling outside off, Sai hops back and crunches it to deep point for a single. The fielder throws it on the bounce to the keeper, but it bounces over the keeper and rolls into the leg side and the batters get the opportunity to hustle back for the second.

SIX! Sails just over the fielder! Kamboj keeps it short and on top of middle and leg. Sai Sudharsan weighs on the back foot and pulls it just over the deep backward square leg fielder for half a dozen more. These two are just enjoying out there in the middle.

Pushed fuller and on the leg stump. Shubman Gill gets inside the line to help it finer on the leg side, but gets a bit of a leading edge and it rolls away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and outside off, at 133.3 kph, Sai Sudharsan climbs on it by hopping on the toes and square cuts it neatly to deep backward point for an easy run.

Strategic Break! The Gujarat Titans openers are flying once again, with Shubman Gill notching up a sublime fifty while Sai Sudharsan is playing second fiddle so far. They have built the platform for a massive total on the board and things are looking threatening for the visitors. Chennai Super Kings haven't troubled the batters at all, but they will hope that they can pull things back in the middle overs and get rid of the GT top three quickly to put pressure on the middle order, which have not made much impact this season. It will be Anshul Kamboj to bowl after the break.

BEATEN! Singh keeps it short and slants it across the right-hander, generating decent bounce as well. Shubman Gill prepares to play the short-arm jab across the line, but is beaten comprehensively with the ball leaving him. Just 3 runs from Gurjapneet's first. Well, well! UltraEdge, after the Strategic Break, shows a spike when the ball is next to the bat. No one really appealed, with Urvil Patel also not being sure whether he heard something or not. A big opportunity lost for CSK as Gill is batting like a dream.

Short of a length, on top of middle, angling in. Sai Sudharsan backs away and knocks it through the cover and backward point for a single. It's been a fine over from Gurjapneet Singh so far. Can he close it out nicely?

Hard length, around off on a tight line. Sudharsan opens the bat face and taps it to backward point.

At pace now, 135.3 kph. This is bashed hard into the surface, angling across the batter, on off. Gill advances and tries to whack it over the off side, but inside edges past the stumps and gets a single at widish square leg.

A slower one by Singh, on a back of a length, on off. Shubman Gill lets it come at him and dabs it watchfully to point.

Back of a length, outside off. Sai punches off the back foot through cover and mid off fo a single.

Gurjapneet Singh replaces Anshul Kamboj.

SIX! FIFTY FOR SHUBMAN GILL! From just 23 deliveries and his love for playing in Ahmedabad continues. This is his 6th half-century this season. A loosener from Noor, as this is served right up there into the slot. Full and on middle, asking to be punished. Gill gets down on a knee and slog sweeps it using his wrists and dumps it behind the deep mid-wicket fence. Gill raises the bat calmly and acknowledges the cheer and applause from the crowd and his teammates. He means business tonight.

From around the stump, this is short and on off. Shubman Gill punches the googly but hits it straight to the cover fielder.

A googly now, around off on a length. Sai Sudharsan whips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

Full and flat, on leg, Gill flicks it off the front foot to the righ of deep mid-wicket. Dewald Brevis gets across and cuts it off. Just one this time.

Drags the length and slows it up, on a length, on leg. Gill steers it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

SIX! That's a sensational hit from Gill. He also brings up 6000 T20 runs with that strike. Noor lands it fuller and it is the googly on middle and leg. Shubman Gill picks the length in a trice and gets down on a knee before nailing the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a massive six.

Time for some spin right after the Powerplay. Here is Noor Ahmad to bowl now.

Seeing Gill advance once again, Kamboj fires in a toe-crushing yorker to cramp the batter. Shubman does well and flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. 13 runs from Kamboj's first. GT end their Powerplay on a high, at 62/0.

Pitched outside leg, on a length, Sai misses to tuck it around the corner and the ball rolls off the thigh pad to backward square leg for a leg bye.

Back of a length, into the bodyline. Shubman Gill shimmies down the track and drills it to the left of mid on for a quick single.

SIX! Free-flowing hit from Gill! A half-volley on middle and leg. Shubman Gill gets the front leg out of the way and launches it comfortably over long on for a six. The first of the evening.

Tight single! Good bit of fielding from Short once again. He has been a live wire so far. Touch full and outside off, Sai carves it to the short third fielder and calls Gill through for a single. Matthew Short is quick to attack the ball and scores a direct hit at the batting end, but Gill is quick enough to get home safely. The replay confirm the same.

FOUR! Crunched down the ground! Pitched fuller, around the off stump. Sai Sudharsan takes a couple of baby-steps forward, gets under the ball and lofts it over the mid off fielder for a cracking boundary. 50 UP FOR GT IN 5.1 OVERS!

Time for Kamboj? Surely. Anshul Kamboj is introduced into the attack for the last over of the Powerplay, replacing Spencer Johnson.

Hits the deck hard, outside off, takes off a bit. Sai Sudharsan punches it uppishly once again but through the vacant point region for one more.

Touch fuller and around off, Shubman Gill pushes it towards extra cover for a run.

Short of a length and on off, Sai Sudharsan stabs it to the left of cover-point for a quick single.

Three dots now! Fuller one, on middle, Sai Sudharsan steps across and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Back of length and on off, Sai Sudharsan plays it late but cannot beat the fly slip fielder.

Good length and around off, Sai Sudharsan drives it on the up but straight to extra cover.

CSK still search their first breakthrough, and Gaikwad brings Gurjapneet Singh into the attack. He replaces Mukesh Choudhary. Another left-arm seamer. We can also see Sarfaraz Khan on the field for now. Not sure for whom.

FOUR! Two in two! Pitched up and around off, Shubman Gill once again makes some room for himself, extends his arms and carasess it through covers for four more runs. Back-to-back 15-run overs from Johnson. His bowling figures read 2-0-30-0.

FOUR! Fine shot! Goes back to the fuller length and just outside off, takes pace off. Shubman Gill gives the charge but stays leg side of the ball to free his arms. He flays it uppishly to the right of deep point for another boundary.

On a length and around leg, Sai Sudharsan clips it through square leg for another run.

Fuller one and on off, Shubman Gill drives it crisply to covers for just a run.

Pitched up and around off, angling away, Sai Sudharsan looks to drive but gets an outside edge through point for a single.

FOUR! Streaky! Fuller delivery, outside off, Sai Sudharsan backs away and throws his hands at it. The ball flies off the outside edge just over Matthew Short at fly slip for a boundary.

Another fantastic start for GT. They are going at 10s an over and both the openers have looked in a fine nick, middling the ball frequently. Looks like a pretty good batting wicket. Spencer Johnson (1-0-15-0) to continue.

Short and wide outside off, Sai Sudharsan cuts it uppishly but thorugh the vacant point region for one.

Much fuller and on off, Sai Sudharsan drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

Superb stop! Hits the deck hard, on off, Sai Sudharsan opens the bat face and steers it wide of the fly slip. Matthew Short there dives to his right to make a fantastic one-handed save.

FOUR! Put away! Back of a length and well outside off. Sai Sudharsan gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it to the deep point fence for a boundary.

Hard length and on off, Shubman Gill knocks it towards mid off.

Short of a length and around off, Sai Sudharsan hops up and pats it down to backward point for a single.

Pulls his length back, on off, nips back in a bit, Shubman Gill looks to play at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls behind the stumps.

Right in the blockhole this time, on middle, Shubman Gill digs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Wow, that's too classy! Overpitched delivery, on middle. Shubman Gill presents the full face of the bat and plays an elegant straight drive back past the bowler for another boundary.

Much fuller and on off, Sai Sudharsan bunts it off the bottom half of the bat towards mid-wicket for a run.

Sanju Samson looks in some pain as he has hurt the fingers of his left hand. The CSK physio rushes out to check on him. And dear me! Sanju Samson is walking off the field. Another injury in the CSK camp and they would hope it is not a serious one to keep Samson out. It is Urvil Patel who has taken the keeping duties for now.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, what happened there? Spencer Johnson lands this on a hard length and down the leg side. Sai Sudharsan looks to glance it away but misses. The ball straightens after hitting the deck, but Sanju Samson gets wrong-footed. He moves to his right but then tries to grab the ball with his left glove. It hits his little finger and still runs behind to the fence.

Fuller delivery, on leg, Shubman Gill flicks it aerially but safely towards deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! Spencer Johnson begins with a short-of-a-length delivery, just outside off. Shubman Gill uses the width on offer, gets on top of the bounce and just guides it through point for four more runs.

Positive start for the Titans. But Mukesh did get some swing. Will Spencer Johnson get the movement from the opposite end? Let's see...

Pitched up and on middle and leg, Shubman Gill uses his feet and swipes it off the inside half of the bat. It flies wide of Ruturaj Gaikwad at mid on, who gives a good chase and slides to push the ball back inside just before the ropes. Three runs taken. 8 runs off the first over!

Hits the deck hard, on middle, Shubman Gill covers the line of it and blocks out on the pitch.

FOUR! Gets off the mark with a boundary! Good-length delivery, on middle, shaping into the pads. Shubman Gill rolls his wrists and flicks it with nice timing through backward square leg for four runs. The fielder in the deep is a lot square and there is no chance for Gurjapneet Singh to cut that off.

Short of a length and just outside off, Shubman Gill rides the bounce and stabs it to extra cover.

Fuller delivery, on off, shaping in a bit, Shubman Gill looks to drive but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.

Sai Sudharsan and GT are underway! Mukesh Choudhary starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, on off, Sai stays back and dabs it through point for a single.

All set to get underway in Ahmedabad for the 66th match of the season. Two points of great importance up for grabs for both teams. The atmosphere is electric at the Narendra Modi Stadium and there is decent support for the Men in Yellow. The two umpires make their way out. Ruturaj Gaikwad has his men in a huddle near the ropes. Now, the Super Kings scatter through the park. The consistent opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan walk out to the crease. Both have crossed 500 runs this season and are hungry for more. Mukesh Choudhary, the left-arm quick, is in readiness to bowl the first over. Sudharsan will take the strike. And here we go...

Who's up from the CSK camp? It is the Assistant Bowling Coach, Sridharan Sriram. He says that both Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein have been great. Adds that they are great students of the game, and it has been a pleasure to work with them. Mentions that he's got this relationship from last year, Noor was there and Akeal was in MLC, so they already had a rapport and it wasn't like they had to build the relationship from scratch but it has been nice to build on that. Sriram reckons that both spinners complement each other well. Akeal can be used in the Powerplay, which gives freedom to use Noor in a more attacking way through the middle overs. Shares that Prashant Veer is a very clever bowler, he is not the stylish orthodox left-arm spinner but more like Krunal Pandya. He watches the batter till late and can adjust his speed and variations accordingly. Says that Gaikwad has been looking to bowl him more, but the opportunity has not presented itself but hopes to see him bowl in the future.

Let's now hear from Jos Buttler - On being asked about how would he grade his season so far with the bat, Jos Buttler admits that it has been much better than the T20 World Cup. Says that he has found the form, but also admits that he could have converted some of the starts into big scores, but feels that he is hitting the ball really well now. When asked how the IPL helped him rediscover form after the World Cup, he says it helps massively. He points to the quality of facilities and the wealth of resources available, and calls it a great tournament to be part of. On what did GT take away from their last game against KKR, Buttler admits they were disappointed with the result. He singles out their fielding lapses and says their execution with the ball was also a bit off. He adds that it is a massive game for both teams and says it is all about coming out and starting fresh from scratch. On countering fatigue at this late stage of the tournament, Buttler says the squad has worked really hard so far and stresses the importance of staying mentally fit. He describes it as a very exciting phase of the tournament, one that demands an extra bit of energy as well.

Impact Players for GT - Prasidh Krishna, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kumar Kushagra.

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.

Impact Players for CSK - Kartik Sharma, Macneil Noronha, Sarfaraz Khan, Kuldip Yadav, Aman Khan.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Matthew Short (In place of Akeal Hosein), Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh (In place of Prashant Veer).

The captain of Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill says that he would have bowled first as well but doesn't mind batting first as there hasn't been much dew. They need to play good cricket over the 40 overs. Adds that he doesn't like to go by stats but teams batting first have won more matches here. Gill mentions that they have to keep the intensity high. They dropped a few catches in the last game, so they need to improve on fielding. Says that their bowling has been right up there and batting has been good too. Suggests that just because they have a 'Q' next to their name, it doesn't mean the job is done. He hopes that all three departments come good and they have three more good games. Informs that Prasidh Krishna comes back in the team in place of Sai Kishore.

The skipper of Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad says that there is a bit of pace and bounce on the surface, and they want to exploit the conditions with the ball first up. On the changes, Gaikwad informs that Akeal Hosein misses out, and Gurjapneet Singh comes in for him. Also adds that Matthew Short is in for Prashant Veer. On what the talks have been coming into this game, Ruturaj mentions that it is about keeping simple and trusting the process. Shares that even in the last game, they gave a good fight, but couldn't get the desired result. Says that a lot of things unfold during the game, but stresses that it is all about turning up and getting that win.

TOSS - It's time for the coin-flip in Ahmedabad. Both the captains are out there in the middle now and having a chat among themselves. Shubman Gill gets the coin and gives it a flick and Ruturaj Gaikwad calls correctly. Chennai Super Kings elect to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Graeme Swann begins by noting that it is a red-soil pitch which will be used for this game. About the dimensions, he informs that the square boundaries are 62 meters and 70 meters respectively, with the straight hit being 72 meters. Aaron Finch joins him and notes a beautiful covering of grass on the surface, and that it is rolled firmly into the pitch, and reads that as a strong sign of batter-friendly conditions. He explains that the grass holding through will generate enough pace for batters to play their shots freely, use the pace of the ball, and access the straight boundary. On spin, he sees none on offer tonight, adding that the surface looks hard and the ball should carry through nicely for the quicks. He expects runs to flow here. Finch also flags the boundary discrepancy as a key factor. He stresses keeping the ball away from the shorter boundary and targeting the bigger side and larger pockets instead. He adds that winning the toss and batting second to chase under lights looks the preferred call on this surface.

CSK's Powerplay problem - Chennai Super Kings walk into this game knowing that only a win will do and even then, they'll need favours elsewhere. Their season has been defined by one man, Sanju Samson. He is just 23 runs away from his second 500-run IPL season, and his impact in CSK's wins has been staggering, averaging 130.0 when they win, the highest among all batters in IPL 2026. But there's a catch. When Samson gets through the Powerplay unscathed, CSK have won all four such games. When he falls early, they've won just two out of nine. That's where the middle order Kartik Sharma, Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis becomes crucial. The trio has stepped up in recent games, with Kartik averaging 72.7 at No. 4. CSK also boast the third-most economical spin attack in the league, but they've also lost the most wickets in the Powerplay this season. Against GT's pace barrage, that's a recipe for disaster if Samson doesn't fire early. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

GT's run machine keeps rolling - Gujarat Titans have built their season on the most destructive opening partnership in the IPL. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill have put together 1,817 partnership runs at an average of 64.9, the best among all opening pairs in IPL history. Sai has been in breathtaking form, notching four successive fifties, a franchise record and is now just one more fifty away to go past Gill's most number of 50 plus scores for GT in a single season. Gill himself has crossed 500 runs for the second consecutive year as captain, joining an elite list that includes David Warner and KL Rahul. Their bowling attack, led by the pace trio of Rabada, Siraj and Holder, has been the most economical among all teams in IPL 2026, but conceding 247 in the last game was a warning sign. A win here won't just secure two points, it could send them to the summit. Gujarat are playing like a team that knows exactly what they want.

Survival vs Supremacy! The Narendra Modi Stadium has witnessed many iconic nights, but this one carries a unique blend of history and desperation. It's Match 66, and the Gujarat Titans are hosting the Chennai Super Kings, a rematch of the 2023 final that CSK won in heart-stopping fashion. Since then, these two sides have developed one of the IPL's most compelling rivalries, with Gujarat holding a slender 5-4 edge overall. Tonight, the stakes couldn't be more different. Gujarat have already sealed their playoff berth, but a win, especially a big one could propel them to the top of the table. Chennai, meanwhile, are fighting for survival. A victory keeps their playoffs hopes flickering, though other results will still need to fall their way. A loss, and they're out. The stage is set, the floodlights are blazing, and Ahmedabad is ready for a classic.

... MATCH DAY ...

The final stretch - Three teams are through, one spot is left. That is where the IPL 2026 playoff picture stands right now, with just a handful of league fixtures to go. The race for that final berth has been fierce, absorbing, and it is only going to get more breathless from here. Match 66 brings us to Ahmedabad, where the Gujarat Titans host the Chennai Super Kings at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium. Plenty to fight for - Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have all punched their playoff tickets, and the battle among that trio is now about finishing in the top two. It was SRH's win over Chennai that effectively sealed the deal for both SRH and GT, but it left the Super Kings in a difficult spot. Sitting sixth after two straight defeats, CSK's path to the playoffs has gone from narrow to nearly surgical. A win here is non-negotiable, yet even then, the maximum they can climb to is 14 points, and that may not be enough without results elsewhere going their way. A net run rate sitting in the negative only adds to the pressure. The math is brutal, but it is not yet a closed book. For the Gujarat Titans, the motivation is different. The mission now is to finish as high up the table as possible. They carry the second-best net run rate in the competition, behind only RCB, and a win tonight could lift them to the very top of the standings. That said, the loss to KKR was a timely jolt. Sometimes a defeat like that is exactly the mirror a team needs before the knockout rounds arrive, a sharp reminder of what still needs fixing before the stakes get even higher. Bowling in sync - The big loss last time out should not ring too many alarm bells for the Titans. By and large, they have been a disciplined unit across all three departments this season. The one area that did creak against KKR was the bowling, which took a real beating at Eden Gardens, leaking 247 runs and managing just two wickets. Though they have conceded more than 50 runs in the Powerplay on average, their wicket returns have been fantastic, with them picking as many as 26 wickets inside the first six overs, which is among the teams with the most wickets in this phase. The chief architects of that early aggression are Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, who have more often than not bowled three overs apiece in the Powerplay. The second line of attack has been just as threatening. Rashid Khan continues to weave his familiar magic in the middle overs, and the arrival of Jason Holder has given the attack a more complete look. Rashid holds the record for the most wickets at this ground, 29 in total, and sits second on GT's overall wicket-takers list behind Rabada this season. But it is Holder who has made the loudest entrance, snapping up 13 wickets in just seven games and injecting that extra cutting edge the attack was perhaps missing. Sai-Su leads the way - Six fluent half centuries and a classy hundred. That is the kind of consistency Sai Sudharsan has brought to this GT line-up and to the IPL as a whole this season. He sits firmly in contention among the best in the Orange Cap race with more than 550 runs, and right now, he is in the form of his life with four consecutive half centuries and counting. His partnership with skipper Shubman Gill has been one of the defining features of their campaign’s success so far. They have combined for over 1,100 runs this season and their opening partnership reads an average of 52.45. And with Jos Buttler back in form after a quiet few games, a brisk fifty last time out, the batting unit looks as complete as it has all season. Further down the order, Washington Sundar has been a picture of reliability at number five, chipping in with notable contributions one after another. It is that insane consistency with the bat that explains why GT have been bowled out just once all season. Hopes hanging by a thread - Call it bad luck or fate, but if CSK's season could be summed up in one word, it would be injuries. Across all departments and crucial times in the season, they have lost key players who have been central to their success this year. And yet, here they are. With a somewhat reshaped squad, still alive, still fighting, scrapping it out with four other teams for that final playoff spot. But injuries alone cannot excuse what has been a pretty underwhelming campaign. There have been genuine issues, areas they have neither addressed nor executed well enough, and those cracks have been hard to ignore. Of their seven defeats, five have come while defending totals, including three on the trot, a pattern that points to something worrisome. The Powerplay numbers with the ball tell the story plainly. They have conceded 91/1, 86/0 and 45/1 in their last three opening six overs, and across the season have managed just 16 wickets in that phase, one of the lowest tallies in the competition. More concerningly, their leading wicket-taker, Anshul Kamboj, who has crossed the 20-wicket mark this season, has looked a shadow of himself in recent matches. Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein have kept things reasonably tight, conceding just over eight runs an over between them, but the rest of the attack, the pacers in particular, have been either inconsistent or frustratingly expensive. Batting positives - One of the biggest drawbacks for CSK in the 2025 campaign was that they had the worst Powerplay batting average through and through. But with Sanju Samson, Kartik Sharma, and Urvil Patel batting proactively this year, they have found that cutting edge at the top that was so sorely missing before. They have averaged far better than the previous season in the first six overs, averaging 10. Ruturaj Gaikwad has not quite fired this season, and CSK have felt that absence keenly. A couple of half centuries in the middle of the campaign offered brief glimpses of his best, but the runs have dried up and the strike rate of 120.67 has raised eyebrows. Yet here is the curious part. Despite it being his quietest IPL season in recent memory, Gaikwad still finds himself as CSK's second-highest run scorer with 321 runs. Leading the charts above him is Sanju Samson, who has been CSK's most fluent and purposeful batter this season. Team form (Last 5 completed IPL matches, recent first) -  GT - LWWWW | CSK - LLWWW. What to expect? Out of six games played in Ahmedabad, it is an even split with teams batting or bowling first winning three apiece. And usually, Ahmedabad has been a high-scoring venue, so one can expect another competitive game here between two power-packed teams and a lot of stakes.