While the Gujarat Titans were preparing for a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final, banking on their formidable bowling line-up, it was local hero Shubman Gill—capitalising on home advantage with a stunning century—and Sai Sudharsan who dismantled Rajasthan Royals’ attack to secure a seven-wicket victory at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA International Stadium.On their way to this crucial win, the opening pair recorded their 11th century stand for the Titans—more than any other partnership in men’s T20 cricket. From elegant wrist flicks to towering sixes, Gill and Sudharsan dealt almost exclusively in boundaries.The match itself was full of drama: a rare retoss, the same pitch used for the second game running, a reshuffled batting order, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missing out on a century for the second consecutive outing, Donovan Ferreira plundering 27 runs in the final over, and Sudharsan suffering his second hit-wicket dismissal of the season. All this unfolded before the Titans cruised into the final.The evening belonged to the Titans and their fans, as Gill and Sudharsan’s 167-run opening stand made light work of the Royals’ 214 target, chased down in just 18.4 overs. It was the fifth time in six IPL matches at this venue that the scoreboard had crossed 200. A special effort was required, and Gill provided it. Expected to face early pressure from Jofra Archer, Gill countered boldly, and once he began his assault, Sudharsan joined in with equal flair. Together, they manipulated the field with precision. Gill’s 104 off 53 balls included 15 boundaries and three sixes, while Sudharsan contributed 58 off 32 balls with eight boundaries and one six. But for Sudharsan’s unfortunate hit-wicket, the pair might have finished the chase themselves. After their departure, Washington Jattvibedar (16) and impact substitute Rahul Tewatia (17) ensured the target was reached with eight balls to spare.The ‘Boss Baby’ ShowAfter his fearless knock against Jattviberisers Hyderabad, the ‘Boss Baby’ Sooryavanshi (96 off 47 balls, including eight 4s and seven 6s) played with measured aggression this time. He registered his slowest IPL fifty (off 31 balls) before accelerating to 96 in the next 15 deliveries. Much like his previous innings (97 off 29 balls), the teenager refused to temper his attacking instincts against the pacers, though once again fell short of a century.Sooryavanshi continued to trouble the Titans’ attack led by Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder. Unexpectedly joined by Ravindra Jadeja at No. 4, the pair combined experience and aggression to steady the innings after early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal (1) and Dhruv Jurel (7). Following coach Ashish Nehra’s instructions, Titans’ bowlers targeted Sooryavanshi with back-of-length deliveries and the occasional bouncer.However, from two down for nine, Sooryavanshi and Jadeja lifted the score to 82 before Jadeja retired hurt with a tennis elbow injury on 38. Skipper Riyan Parag (11) offered brief support, while Sooryavanshi—initially struggling for timing—produced breathtaking aerial shots, the highlight being a straight six off Rabada. Jofra Archer’s promotion up the order yielded little, as he departed with the score at 118. Jadeja returned to join Sooryavanshi, but after the teenager’s dismissal, Ferreira stole the show. His blistering 38 off 11 balls denied the Titans’ bowlers any chance of restricting the Royals below 200. On a night to forget for Rashid Khan, Ferreira hammered his final over for a flurry of sixes.