Jos Buttler's Stellar Performance Leads Gujarat Titans to Victory Over RCB

Gujarat Titans Triumph Over Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 2: In a thrilling encounter at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Jos Buttler's remarkable unbeaten fifty propelled the Gujarat Titans to an impressive eight-wicket victory against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the IPL 2025.

This defeat has pushed the Rajat Patidar-led RCB team down to third place, while the Titans hold the fourth spot in the points table of this lucrative league. Both teams currently share four points after three matches in the tournament.

Chasing a target of 170 runs, the Titans' openers, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan, began aggressively, taking on the bowlers right from the start of their innings.

The Titans lost their first wicket when skipper Gill was dismissed by right-arm seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the fourth ball of the fifth over, scoring 14 runs off 14 balls, including one four and one six.

Jos Buttler joined Sudarshan in the middle after Gill's departure. The Titans crossed the 50-run mark on the last ball of the seventh over, with Buttler hitting a boundary off fast bowler Rasikh Dar Salam.

The team reached the 100-run milestone on the fourth ball of the 12th over, courtesy of a boundary from Sudarshan against left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya.

In the 13th over, the Titans lost their second wicket as Sudarshan, who scored 49 runs off 36 balls, was dismissed by right-arm pacer Josh Hazelwood.

Following Sudarshan's exit, Sherfane Rutherford (30* runs off 18 balls) joined Buttler (73* runs off 39 balls) to guide their team to victory in the 18th over.

For RCB, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/23 in 4 overs) and Josh Hazelwood (1/43 in 4.5 overs) each took one wicket during their spells.

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Titans made a strong start. Virat Kohli's mishit was caught by Prasidh Krishna at deep backward square leg, giving Arshad Khan his wicket for just seven runs.

Phil Salt struggled to find his rhythm, while Devdutt Padikkal managed a boundary on his first ball but was soon bowled by Siraj, leaving RCB at 13/2.

Salt and skipper Patidar attempted to stabilize the innings, hitting boundaries against Arshad, with Salt even launching a 105-meter six off Siraj. However, Siraj's experience shone through as he dismissed Salt for 14 runs, leaving RCB at 35/3.

At the end of the powerplay, RCB was at 38/3, with Patidar (8*) and Liam Livingstone (0*) at the crease.

Ishant Sharma then trapped Patidar leg before wicket for 12 runs, pushing RCB to 42/4.

Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma formed a partnership, helping RCB reach 50 runs in 8.1 overs.

Jitesh relieved some pressure with two fours and a six against Ishant in the ninth over, bringing RCB to 73/4 after 10 overs.

However, Jitesh's innings ended at 33 runs off 20 balls when he was caught by Rahul Tewatia, leaving RCB at 94/5.

RCB managed to reach the 100-run mark in 14 overs, but Sai Kishore took his second wicket, dismissing Krunal Pandya for five runs.

Tim David entered the crease and hit a four and a six against Rashid, while Livingstone found his rhythm, scoring sixes against spin. He reached his fifty in 39 balls, contributing significantly to RCB's total.

Despite Livingstone's efforts, he was dismissed for 54 runs, leaving RCB at 150/7.

RCB concluded their innings at 169/8 in 20 overs, with Tim David scoring 32 runs. Mohammed Siraj delivered an outstanding performance with the ball, taking 3 wickets for just 19 runs.

Brief Score: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 169/8 in 20 overs (Liam Livingstone 54, Jitesh Sharma 33, Mohammed Siraj 3/19) vs Gujarat Titans 170/2 in 17.5 overs (Jos Buttler 73*, Sai Sudarshan 49, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/23).