Gujarat Titans (GT) handed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) its first defeat of IPL 2025 with a commanding eight-wicket victory at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing a modest 170, GT’s Jos Buttler (68* off 42) and Sherfane Rutherford (33* off 14) sealed the win with 13 balls to spare, leaving RCB’s bowling attack helpless.
RCB’s Struggles with the Bat
RCB, opting to bat first, posted 169/8 despite a shaky start. Virat Kohli (7 off 6) fell early to Arshad Khan, while Phil Salt’s brief cameo (14 off 13) ended with a stumping off Mohammed Siraj. Skipper Rajat Patidar (12) and Devdutt Padikkal (4) followed cheaply, reducing RCB to 38/4 in the PowerPlay.
Liam Livingstone (54 off 40) and Jitesh Sharma (33 off 21) staged a recovery with a 50-run stand, but GT’s spinners—Rashid Khan (0/54) and Sai Kishore (2/29)—kept the scoring in check. A late flurry from Tim David (20 off 10) pushed RCB near 170, but Prasidh Krishna’s yorker to dismiss David in the final over capped a disciplined GT bowling effort.
Buttler-Rutherford Show Stuns RCB
In reply, GT lost Shubman Gill (14 off 14) early, but Buttler and Sai Sudharsan (49 off 36) rebuilt with a 75-run partnership. Buttler’s audacious reverse-scoop six off Josh Hazlewood left Gill applauding from the dugout. Rutherford then unleashed a brutal assault, smashing three sixes in Hazlewood’s final over (26 runs) to finish the game in style.
Key Moments
- Turning Point: Buttler’s back-to-back sixes off Hazlewood (19th over) shattered RCB’s hopes.
- Stat Alert: This was RCB’s first loss in IPL 2025; GT climbed to third in the points table.
- Injury Scare: Virat Kohli hurt his finger attempting a catch but continued fielding.
Post-Match Reactions
- Shubman Gill (GT Captain): “The bowlers set it up, and Jos-Rutherford were clinical. We’ve worked hard on chasing under pressure.”
- Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain): “170 wasn’t enough. We lost momentum after the PowerPlay. Need to learn and bounce back.”
What’s Next?
RCB faces Punjab Kings on April 5, while GT takes on Lucknow Super Giants on April 7.
Brief Scores:
RCB 169/8 (20) | Livingstone 54, Jitesh 33 | Sai Kishore 2/29
GT 170/2 (17.5) | Buttler 68*, Rutherford 33* | Hazlewood 1/46
Result: GT won by 8 wickets.
Player of the Match: Jos Buttler.
