Gujarat Titans (GT) delivered a clinical performance to outclass Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 8 wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in match 14 of IPL 2025. Chasing 170, GT’s opening duo of Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan laid a strong foundation before Sherfane Rutherford’s late fireworks ensured a comfortable victory with 13 balls to spare.
RCB’s Struggles Continue After Another Batting Collapse
Winning the toss, GT opted to bowl first, and their decision paid off as RCB’s batting lineup failed to fire collectively. Despite a well-constructed 54 off 40 balls from Liam Livingstone, RCB struggled to accelerate against GT’s disciplined bowling attack.
RCB started cautiously, but Mohammed Siraj’s early aggression (3/19 in 4 overs) kept GT in check during the powerplay. Jitesh Sharma (33 off 21) played a handy knock in the middle, while Tim David’s quickfire 32 off 18 helped RCB post 169/8 in 20 overs.
GT’s Sai Kishore (2/22 in 4 overs) and Arshad Khan (1/17 in 2 overs) bowled with precision, ensuring that RCB never gained full momentum. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/23 in 4 overs) was the pick of the pacers, maintaining tight lines throughout.
Jos Buttler’s Masterclass Seals the Win for GT
Chasing 170, Gujarat Titans needed a strong start, and Jos Buttler delivered just that with an explosive 73 off 39 balls*. His knock, laced with 7 fours and 4 sixes, put GT in a commanding position early on.
Sai Sudharsan (49 off 36) provided valuable support, rotating the strike efficiently before missing his half-century. Sherfane Rutherford (30 off 18)* ensured a swift finish, hammering the final blows as GT reached 170/2 in just 17.5 overs.
RCB’s bowlers lacked penetration, with Josh Hazlewood (1/43 in 3.5 overs) and Liam Livingstone (0/12 in 1 over) failing to create much impact.
Key Takeaways from the Match
RCB’s inconsistent batting: Apart from Livingstone and David, the rest of the lineup failed to step up.
Jos Buttler’s return to form: The England star anchored the chase brilliantly, ensuring there were no hiccups.
GT’s balanced bowling attack: Sai Kishore and Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept things tight, preventing RCB from building a strong total.
GT’s commanding victory strengthens their position in the IPL 2025 points table, while RCB needs to address their middle-order woes before their next clash. With momentum on GT’s side, they will be a team to watch as the tournament progresses.
