NEW DELHI – In a thrilling encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Jos Buttler unleashed a batting spectacle, propelling Gujarat Titans to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 match.
Buttler’s innings was nothing short of a masterclass, employing an array of shots including scoops, reverse scoops, pulls, straight drives, cuts, and flicks to dismantle the RCB bowling attack. His explosive 73 runs came off just 39 balls, boasting a strike rate of 187.18, and included nine boundaries and three sixes, leaving the RCB bowlers searching for answers.
The chase began with an early setback as Shubman Gill was dismissed for 14, but Buttler, alongside Sai Sudharsan, steadied the ship with a crucial 75-run partnership. Sudharsan played a supportive role, scoring a steady 49 off 36 balls, ensuring GT remained on course. Following Sudharsan’s departure, Buttler shifted gears, guiding GT to victory with 13 balls to spare, showcasing his dominance in the chase.
Earlier, RCB struggled to find their rhythm, managing only 169/8 in their 20 overs. The innings faltered from the outset with early dismissals of key players Virat Kohli (7) and Devdutt Padikkal (4), leaving them reeling at 42/4 within the powerplay. Despite a valiant effort from Liam Livingstone, who scored 54 off 40 balls with five fours and three sixes, and a quick cameo from Jitesh Sharma (33 off 21), RCB couldn’t recover. GT’s bowlers, led by Sai Kishore (2/22) and Mohammed Siraj (3/19), maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings. Tim David‘s brisk 32 off 18 provided some late impetus, but the total of 169 was always going to be challenging to defend.
In response, GT started cautiously but soon found their rhythm with Buttler and Sudharsan at the crease. After Sudharsan’s dismissal, Sherfane Rutherford joined Buttler, and their unbeaten 63-run partnership sealed the victory in style, with Rutherford contributing an unbeaten 30 off 18 balls.
With this win, Gujarat Titans climbed to fourth place in the IPL 2025 points table, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru slipped to third, facing another setback in their campaign. Buttler’s performance not only highlighted his prowess but also underscored GT’s formidable batting lineup, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.