Gujarat Titans Eye Top Two Finish in IPL Playoffs

Gujarat Titans Focus on Playoff Strategy

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaches its concluding stages, R Sai Kishore, a spinner for the Gujarat Titans (GT), highlighted the critical need to secure a top-two position in the points table for a strategic edge in the playoffs.

“Finishing in the top two has been a topic of discussion not just now, but also earlier,” Sai Kishore stated during an interview on Star Sports Press Room.

“When aiming for qualification, it’s advantageous to be among the top two. We must avoid complacency. The IPL features strong teams, and every player is among the elite globally. No team should be underestimated, regardless of their current form—any player can turn the match around on their day. Therefore, we are not considering relaxation. A top-two finish is certainly within reach,” he added.

This season, the Titans have performed exceptionally well, currently leading the table with 16 points from eight victories and only three losses. With three matches remaining in the league phase, Gujarat aims to maintain their form and secure a top-two finish, which provides a safety net during the playoffs.

Achieving a top-two finish allows teams to participate in Qualifier 1, where a victory guarantees a place in the final. Even in the event of a loss, they have another opportunity in Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator.

The Titans' upcoming matches are against Delhi Capitals (DC), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK)—all of whom are formidable challengers. As the playoff race intensifies, the Titans are determined to sustain their momentum and enter the knockout rounds with confidence and an advantage.

In their previous encounter against the Mumbai Indians (MI), GT won the toss and chose to bowl first. A notable 71-run partnership between Will Jacks (53 runs off 35 balls, including five fours and three sixes) and Suryakumar Yadav (35 runs off 24 balls, with five fours) helped restrict MI to 155/8 in their allotted overs.

Sai Kishore was the standout bowler for GT, claiming 2 wickets for 34 runs, while Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, and Gerald Coetzee each took one wicket.

The run chase was filled with ups and downs for both sides. Although GT lost Sai Sudharsan early, a 72-run partnership between captain Shubman Gill (43 runs off 46 balls, with three fours and a six) and Jos Buttler (30 runs off 27 balls, with three fours and a six) helped them recover.

During the 14th over, with GT at 107/2, a rain interruption occurred, with GT leading according to the DLS Method. After the delay, Jasprit Bumrah (2/19) and Trent Boult (2/22) brought MI back into contention, reducing GT to 132/6 in 18 overs before another rain break.

Upon resumption, GT faced a revised target of 147 runs with just one over remaining. Rahul Tewatia (11*) and Gerald Coetzee (12) successfully guided GT to victory by three wickets in a thrilling finish, with Gill earning the 'Player of the Match' accolade.