Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans, IPL 2023: Sai Sudharshan, David Miller Guide GT To 6-Wicket Win Over DC

The inept technique of young Indian batters against top quality fast bowling compounded Delhi Capitals' worries as they succumbed to an embarrassing six-wicket defeat at the hands of defending champions Gujarat Titans in an IPL match in New Delhi on Tuesday. Mohammed Shami (3/41 in 4 overs) and Alzarri Joseph (2/29 in 4 overs) intimidated the Delhi top-order in the first 10 overs while Rashid Khan (3/31 in 4 overs) hardly faced any trouble keeping the batters under check to restrict the home team to a below-par 162 for 8. Despite Anrich Nortje (2/39 in 4 overs)'s best efforts, young Sai Sudharsan (62 not out off 48 balls) anchored the chase calmly with Titans winning their second successive game in 18. 1 overs.

David Miller's (31 not out off 16 balls) two sixes and four off Mukesh Kumar in the 16th over towards the end sealed DC's fate decisively.

Axar Patel (36 off 22) was DC's saving grace with bat but since left-handers were batting, David Warner couldn't give him a single over as the match-up wasn't compatible.

DC have now lost two matches on the trot and while it is early days in the tournament, it will be surprising if this team, with the kind of Indian talent it has, finishes in top five let alone be a title contender. The cupboard in terms both Indian batting and bowling talent looks bare and inadequate while competing with the best in the business.

Had Axar not used his long handle to good effect, even 150 would have looked a distant reality for DC.

Just a month after Kotla produced a turner for the Test against Australia, the change in nature of the track was palpable as the balls literally flew off the surface.

At times, it felt that it wasn't David Warner (37 off 32 balls) or a Sarafaraz Khan's (30 off 33