The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed a commanding performance from Gujarat Titans (GT) tonight as they cruised to an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 14th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Capitalizing on a disciplined bowling effort, GT chased down the target of 170 with 13 balls to spare, leaving the home crowd deflated.
Having won the toss and opted to field, Gujarat’s bowling attack executed their plans to perfection, restricting a usually explosive RCB batting lineup to a manageable 169 for 8. The tone for the innings was set early by a hostile spell from right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj. Playing against his former team, Siraj was a man on a mission, generating significant pace and movement. Arshad Khan drew first blood, dismissing Virat Kohli for a mere seven runs. Siraj then unleashed a double blow, dismantling the stumps of Devdutt Padikkal (4) and accounting for the dangerous Phil Salt (17), leaving RCB reeling at a precarious 35 for three within the opening five overs.
Despite the early setbacks, RCB attempted to rebuild. Jitesh Sharma (33) and Liam Livingstone forged a partnership of over 50 runs, providing a semblance of stability. However, the introduction of left-arm spinner Sai Kishore proved crucial for GT. Kishore’s economical spell, conceding just 22 runs and picking up two vital wickets, including the well-set Sharma, effectively choked the middle overs and prevented RCB from gaining any significant momentum. Livingstone fought valiantly, reaching his half-century with a mix of aggression and composure, eventually falling for a well-made 54. A late cameo from Tim David (32), featuring some powerful hitting, pushed the RCB total closer to 170, offering their bowlers something to defend.
However, the target proved insufficient against a composed and calculated Gujarat Titans batting unit. Demonstrating maturity and adaptability to the away conditions, the opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan laid a solid foundation. They navigated the initial tricky phase against the new ball with caution, prioritizing stability over immediate aggression. While Gill departed in the fifth over, the groundwork had been laid for a successful chase.
The subsequent partnership between Sudharsan and Jos Buttler proved to be the decisive factor in the match. The duo orchestrated a masterful display of batting, rotating the strike effectively and finding the boundary with regularity after the powerplay. Their 75-run stand kept the scoreboard ticking and ensured the required run rate remained comfortably within reach. Even the dismissal of Sudharsan for a well-crafted 49 did little to disrupt the Titans’ rhythm. Buttler continued his excellent form, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 73 off 39 balls, including five boundaries and six sixes. Sherfane Rutherford provided the finishing touches with a brisk 30 not out, sealing a comfortable victory for the visitors with 13 balls remaining.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be deeply disappointed with their performance in their first home game of the season. Their batting lacked the usual firepower, and they were significantly short of runs on a ground known to favour batsmen. Their bowlers, barring a spirited opening spell, struggled to exert consistent pressure, particularly in the crucial middle overs, allowing the Titans batsmen to dictate terms.
Mohammed Siraj was the undeniable star of the show and was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match for his sensational bowling performance. His impactful spell of three wickets for a miserly 19 runs in his four overs set the stage for Gujarat Titans’ dominant victory, showcasing his prowess even on a ground that traditionally favours the willow. This clinical performance from GT sends a strong message to the rest of the league, highlighting their all-round strength and ability to perform under pressure, even away from home.
Scorecard:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 169-8, Overs 20, Liam Livingstone 54, Mohammed Siraj 3/19
Gujarat Titans: 170-2, Overs 17.5, Jos Buttler 73*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/23