Sudharsan struck a fluent 55 off 36 deliveries while sharing a commanding 118-run opening partnership with Gill as Gujarat Titans posted an imposing 229\/4 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on the batting conditions, Sudharsan said the pitch was excellent for strokeplay initially before becoming slower as the innings progressed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAt the start, the wicket was really good, but once the ball got rough, I think it started to turn a bit and it was a bit slow actually,\u201d Sudharsan said after the innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The left-handed opener also revealed Gujarat Titans had identified the importance of capitalising on the new ball against Rajasthan\u2019s pace attack, including the threat posed by Jofra Archer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always a great challenge playing against Jofra, but we had it in our mind, if an over started really well for us, we went for the over and it happened very well in the powerplay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Archer endured a difficult opening spell as Gujarat Titans raced to 82\/0 in six overs, their joint-highest powerplay total in IPL history. Sudharsan was particularly severe on anything loose, striking six fours and two sixes during his innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the strong start, Sudharsan acknowledged that the surface became more demanding for strokeplay against slower deliveries and spin as the innings progressed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNo, I think the team will be planning for that, but there\u2019ll be a lot of slower ones, a lot of cutters. If we look to spin the ball well, I think it\u2019s not so easy to hit on this wicket,\u201d he explained while speaking about the bowling approach Gujarat Titans could adopt in the chase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sudharsan and Gill maintained an attacking approach throughout their partnership, regularly taking on the bowlers without allowing Rajasthan Royals to settle into defensive lines.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe were very free, to be honest. Me and Shubman, we were going after the bowlers. There was no hesitation or resistance when we went on to bat,\u201d Sudharsan said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe had a very good powerplay. We should have had a very good middle overs. I think I lost my wicket at the right time for the RR team. We could have had maybe a bigger partnership,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The opener also spoke highly of his understanding with Gill, with the pair continuing one of the most productive opening combinations in the IPL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think we share a very good partnership with each other, a very good relationship. And I feel I look up to a lot of things from Shubman,\u201d Sudharsan said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The opener also spoke highly of his understanding with Gill, with the pair continuing one of the most productive opening combinations in the IPL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill went on to score a blistering 84 off 44 balls, while late cameos from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia helped Gujarat Titans finish with a daunting total of 229\/4.<\/p>\r\n\r\n