The Shubman Gill-Sai Sudharsan puzzle: How IPL’s safest opening pair is turning into Gujarat Titans’ biggest worry

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But now that template looks vulnerable. Facing RCB bowlers, the loopholes in the template were laid bare. The pitch in Bengaluru required them to show intent from the get-go, but their usual approach to settling in proved to be a bad decision. They accumulated dot balls, and the pressure kept on increasing. When they finally decided to accelerate, the risks felt forced. Their dismissals left GT chasing the game far earlier than they would have liked.

Sudharsan slammed 100 off 58 balls, including 11 fours and five maximums, with a 172.41 strike rate. He was dismissed in the 16th over, losing his wicket to Josh Hazlewood.

Gill's captaincy also carries that additional burden. It has affected his natural game of timing and accumulation. He has often tried to accelerate sooner than he usually does. Meanwhile, a batter like Sudharsan requires clarity. When the tempo shifts unexpectedly, it affects his approach. RCB took advantage of that, leaving both GT openers caught between consolidation and aggression. They were neither fully committed nor executing the plan. At the end, they formed an innings that lacked fluency and a proper partnership.

Considering that they are done and dusted would be premature. Gill and Sudharsan's success as an opening pair was cemented in skill, discipline and commitment. Now they need to adapt and find newer ways to get runs. The way they treat this problem will define not just their partnership, but also GT's season.

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