By Rohit - Apr 02, 2025 11:11 PM
In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 2, 2025, Gujarat Titans (GT) secured a commanding victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a chase of 170, powered by Jos Buttler’s scintillating half-century and a strong batting display. Despite a spirited bowling effort from RCB, GT’s composure and firepower ensured they crossed the finish line with ease.
Electing to bowl first, Gujarat Titans dominated the early proceedings, restricting RCB to 169/8 in their 20 overs. Mohammed Siraj emerged as the star bowler for GT, claiming a three-wicket haul that derailed RCB’s batting lineup. Sai Kishore supported with two wickets, keeping the pressure on throughout.
For RCB, Liam Livingstone top-scored with a fighting 54, while Jitesh Sharma and Tim David contributed 32 each, but regular wickets prevented them from posting a more challenging total.
Chasing 170, GT suffered an early blow when Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed opener Shubman Gill for 14 in the fifth over, giving RCB their first breakthrough. However, Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan quickly steadied the ship, forming a formidable partnership that tilted the game in GT’s favor.
The duo took on RCB’s bowlers with confidence, with Sudharsan smashing a boundary and a six off Josh Hazlewood in one over, while Buttler unleashed his aggression against Rasikh Salam Dar, hammering a boundary and two sixes in an 18-run over.
By the 12th over, GT were cruising at 105/1, with both Buttler and Sudharsan nearing their fifties. Sudharsan fell agonizingly short at 49, dismissed by Hazlewood in the 13th over, ending a crucial 75-run stand.
However, Buttler continued his onslaught, reaching his half-century in style with a towering six off Liam Livingstone in the 15th over. Batting at 50 off 31 balls, Buttler’s knock kept GT firmly in control, needing just 36 runs from the last five overs.
With 29 runs required off the final four overs, Buttler shifted gears in the 17th over against Hazlewood. He smashed two consecutive sixes—one a beautifully timed pull over mid-wicket and another a top-edged reverse ramp that sailed over fine leg—racing to 72 off 38 balls. Sherfane Rutherford then joined the party, finishing the game in the 18th over with a massive six off Hazlewood, sealing GT’s victory with 13 balls to spare.
This is GT’s second biggest win while chasing - in terms of wickets remaining - after their 9-wicket win with 37 balls to spare against RR in Jaipur in 2023.
All six matches between these two sides have been won by the chasing team - three each for both.
Jos Buttler - Enjoyed batting, the bowlers were fantastic, the fielding could have being better, myself better, we might have been chasing 30 runs less. I was embarrassed (on his dropped catch), Salty was a dangerous batter, I tired to celebrate in a Herschelle Gibbs style, tried to celebrate way too early. There was a bit of movement early on with the new ball, so credit to our openers for having played out the initial period. The fielding could have been better, but we have our bases covered, some fine bowlers, quality batters and some dangerous hitters in our squad.
Rajat Patidar | RCB Captain - Not 200, we were targeting around 190 after the powerplay, but losing early wickets harmed this match. I think the intent was good, but we shouldn't have lost as many as 3 wickets in the PP, it was one wicket too many. The conditions did get better, the bowlers were amazing trying to defend this total, to take this chase into the 18th over was amazing to watch. The way Jitesh, Liam Livingstone, and Tim David, the way they batted, it was a positive for us. We're confident about the batting line-up, they're showing some positive intent which is very good for us.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Confirmed Playing XI: 1. Virat Kohli, 2. Philip Salt(WK), 3. Devdutt Padikal, 4. Rajat Patidar(C), 5. Liam Livingstone, 6. Jitesh Sharma(WK), 7. Tim David, 8. Krunal Pandya, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Josh Hazlewood, 11. Yash Dayal
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Impact Players: Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Bethell, Manoj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh
Gujarat Titans (GT) Confirmed Playing XI: 1. Sai Sudharsan, 2. Shubman Gill(C), 3. Jos Buttler(WK), 4. Shahrukh Khan, 5. Arshad Khan, 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Rashid-Khan, 8. Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, 9. Ishant Sharma, 10. Prasidh Krishna, 11. Mohammed Siraj
Gujarat Titans (GT) Impact Players: Mahipal Lomror, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat
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