IPL 2025: Jos Buttler’s Explosive 97 Guides Gujarat Titans to Dominating Win Over Delhi Capitals
In a thrilling display of power-hitting and composure, Jos Buttler smashed an unbeaten 97 to steer Gujarat Titans (GT) to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in an IPL 2025 blockbuster at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. This emphatic win not only cemented GT’s position at the top of the points table but also sent a resounding message to their rivals in the race for the playoffs.
Chasing a formidable target of 204, Gujarat Titans faced an early setback with the run-out of captain Shubman Gill for a mere 7 in the second over. However, Buttler, in scintillating form, turned the tide with a masterclass innings. His unbeaten 97 off 54 balls, laced with 11 fours and four towering sixes, showcased a perfect blend of aggression and control, ensuring GT never lost sight of the target.
Buttler found able support in Sai Sudharsan, who contributed a brisk 36 in a 60-run stand for the second wicket, before taking charge of the chase single-handedly. Later, a match-defining 119-run partnership with Sherfane Rutherford (43 off 34 balls) for the third wicket dismantled DC’s bowling attack, leaving them grasping for solutions. With just 10 runs needed in the final over, Rahul Tewatia sealed the deal in style, smashing a six and a four off Mitchell Starc, finishing the chase with four balls to spare while Buttler remained agonizingly short of a well-deserved century.
Earlier in the match, Delhi Capitals posted a competitive 203/8, powered by valuable contributions from Karun Nair (31), KL Rahul (28), Axar Patel (39), and young gun Ashutosh Sharma (37). However, GT’s pace spearhead Prasidh Krishna turned the game with a fiery spell of 4/41, striking at crucial junctures to prevent DC from crossing the 220-run mark, a total that seemed likely at one stage.
On the points table, this victory propelled Gujarat Titans to the summit with 10 points from 7 matches, tied with DC and Punjab Kings (PBKS). Yet, GT’s superior net run rate of +0.984, compared to DC’s +0.589 and PBKS’s +0.308, handed them the coveted top spot. Buttler’s performance was not just a match-winner but also a stark reminder of his destructive potential, having now scored over 3,000 IPL runs in his illustrious career, with an average hovering above 38.
As the IPL 2025 season intensifies, Gujarat Titans’ clinical all-round display—led by Buttler’s brilliance and backed by disciplined bowling—has set them apart as serious title contenders. For Delhi Capitals, this second loss of the campaign raises questions about their bowling depth against top-tier batting line-ups. Will GT maintain this momentum, and can DC bounce back? The answers lie in the exhilarating weeks ahead in this rollercoaster of a tournament.