IPL action resumes with Gujarat, Punjab and Bengaluru into playoffs

NEW DELHI: Azmatullah Omarzai´s all-round show and an unbeaten century by Sai Sudharsan marked the return of Indian Premier League action on Sunday with victories for Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans.

Gujarat rode unbeaten knocks from Sudharsan (108) and skipper Shubman Gill (93) to hammer Delhi Capitals by 10 wickets in the day´s second match to book their play-off spot. The result also ensured play-off places for Punjab Kings, who won the first match of the day, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs in the first completed match since the IPL´s resumption after Saturday´s scheduled restart ended in a washout. The T20 tournament was paused last week because of a deadly conflict between India and Pakistan but officials decided to resume the competition after a ceasefire.

On a batting-friendly pitch at Delhi´s Feroz Shah Kotla ground, impact substitute Sudharsan, who struck his second IPL century, and Gill helped Gujarat chase down 200 with one over to spare.

“Feels amazing, I have talked about this couple of times, when I´m batting, I want to play and think as a batsman, not as a captain,” said Gill. “Last year was a learning (experience) for me as I was captain for the first time, the back end of last season I learnt that.” Gill, 25, is the frontrunner to lead India in five-day cricket after the recent Test retirements of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Gujarat, who won the IPL in their debut season in 2022, reclaimed first place in the 10-team table. Delhi, five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are the three teams remaining in the hunt for one remaining play-off spot. The huge partnership between Gill and Sudharsan trumped KL Rahul´s unbeaten 112 that steered the home team to 199-3.

Sudharsan came out attacking in response as he raced to 25 off nine balls and reached his fifty with a boundary. Gill soon changed gears as he took on Sri Lanka´s Dushmantha Chameera in a 19-run 13th over, with Sudharsan picking up the pace as well and completing his hundred before hitting the winning six.