Gujarat Titans Face Defeat Against Lucknow Super Giants Amid Handshake Controversy

In a thrilling IPL 2025 match, Gujarat Titans suffered a 33-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants, raising eyebrows over a post-match handshake between captains Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. Despite a strong performance from Shahrukh Khan, the Titans fell short in their chase of 236 runs. The incident has sparked discussions on social media, with fans interpreting Gill's actions in various ways. As the Titans aim to secure their top position in the league, they face a crucial match against Chennai Super Kings ahead of the playoffs.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2025, 13:15 IST

Match Overview

On May 22, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans experienced their fourth loss of IPL 2025, falling short by 33 runs against the Lucknow Super Giants, led by Rishabh Pant.

Chasing a daunting target of 236 runs, the Titans managed only 202 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a strong partnership of 86 runs between Shahrukh Khan, who scored 57, and Sherfane Rutherford, who added 38, the team faltered after Rutherford's dismissal at 182/4 in the 16th over. The batting lineup collapsed, losing six wickets for just 20 runs, including the pivotal wicket of Shahrukh Khan.

Bowling Highlights

William O’Rourke was instrumental for the Lucknow Super Giants, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs, maintaining an economy rate of 6.80. Avesh Khan and Ayush Badoni contributed with two wickets each, while Akash Singh Maharaj added one more to secure the victory.

Handshake Incident Between Gill and Pant

The aftermath of the match sparked discussions, particularly regarding the handshake between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. A video shared on social media showed Gill quickly moving on to greet other players while Pant appeared to want to engage in conversation.

Fans on social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), speculated that Gill was ignoring Pant. Some suggested that Gill might not have heard Pant or was simply following the routine of greeting players swiftly.

Reactions from Fans

Social media reactions varied, with some users claiming Gill's actions reflected arrogance, while others defended him, suggesting it was a misunderstanding. Notable comments included:

1. "It's clear that Gill ignored Pant. This shows his high-headedness."

2. "Gambhir's influence on Gill is evident; he often disrespects seniors."

3. "Shubman Gill's actions after the match have fans buzzing!"

Gujarat Titans' Future Prospects

Despite the setback against Lucknow, the Gujarat Titans remain at the top of the points table with 18 points from nine wins and four losses. They have one final league match against Chennai Super Kings before the playoffs.

To secure their position as table-toppers, the Titans need to win their last match while hoping that Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings lose at least one of their remaining matches. If both teams win, they could surpass the Titans in points, potentially dropping Gujarat to third place.