Gujarat Titans Defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 8 Wickets in IPL 2025
CRICKETNEWS
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered their first defeat of the IPL 2025 season, falling to Gujarat Titans (GT) by 8 wickets in Match 14 on Wednesday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After being put into bat, RCB managed to post a modest total of 169/8, but GT chased down the target with ease, finishing at 170/2 in 18.5 overs. The match was a dominant display by the Titans, led by stellar performances from Mohammed Siraj with the ball and Jos Buttler with the bat, as they comfortably overhauled RCB’s total.
In a crucial encounter, Gujarat Titans won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that proved to be the right one. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its small boundaries and high-scoring matches, making chasing a viable option, and GT’s bowlers took full advantage of the conditions.
RCB's Innings
RCB’s innings got off to a disastrous start. Within the first six overs, they found themselves struggling at 42/4, thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling by Mohammed Siraj and his teammates. Siraj, in particular, was in fine form, initially being hit for a boundary by Virat Kohli, but he quickly bounced back by dismissing Kohli with a well-executed delivery that was caught at deep-backward square leg. Siraj’s spell didn’t stop there; he also removed Devdutt Padikkal, further deepening RCB's troubles.
At 42/4, RCB seemed in deep trouble, but Liam Livingstone came to the rescue with a remarkable knock. He formed a crucial partnership with Jitesh Sharma, adding 52 runs off just 38 balls for the fifth wicket. Livingstone was especially aggressive, taking on the GT bowlers, including hitting Rashid Khan for three sixes in one over and finishing the match with five sixes overall. However, R Sai Kishore’s tight bowling halted RCB’s recovery as he picked up the wickets of Jitesh and Krunal Pandya in quick succession, reducing RCB to 169/8 in their 20 overs.
Livingstone remained unbeaten on 59 off 38 balls, his knock being the standout of the RCB innings. However, his efforts were not enough to get RCB to a competitive total, as their batting depth collapsed under pressure.
GT's Response
In reply, Gujarat Titans were clinical in their chase. The Titans were given a solid foundation by their openers, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. However, it was Jos Buttler who stole the spotlight with a brilliant 73-run knock. Buttler played a composed and aggressive innings, anchoring the chase while also ensuring the required run rate was never a problem for GT. Alongside him, Sudharsan played an important role, scoring an unflappable 35 runs, ensuring the Titans reached the target comfortably with 8 wickets in hand.
GT’s chase was clinical, with Buttler’s class on full display as he took apart the RCB bowling attack. With steady contributions from the other end, GT reached 170/2 in 18.5 overs to seal a comprehensive victory. The Titans’ batting lineup, including the likes of Shubman Gill and Sherfane Rutherford, also played their parts in guiding the team to a successful chase.
Key Performances
Mohammed Siraj (GT): Siraj was the standout performer with the ball for Gujarat Titans, taking 3 wickets for 19 runs in his 4 overs. His effort was critical in reducing RCB to a precarious position early in their innings, claiming key wickets such as Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal.
Jos Buttler (GT): Buttler’s 73 runs off 50 balls was the foundation for GT’s successful chase. His aggressive strokeplay ensured that RCB’s bowlers had no margin for error. Buttler's controlled aggression, mixed with his impeccable timing, made the chase look easy.
Liam Livingstone (RCB): Livingstone’s 59* off 38 balls was the only bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming RCB performance. His aggressive batting helped RCB post a fighting total after being reduced to 42/4 early in the innings.
Turning Points
1. RCB's Top Order Collapse: The early wickets of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar put RCB on the backfoot, leaving them struggling at 42/4 inside the first 7 overs. The collapse set the tone for the rest of their innings, forcing Livingstone to play a lone hand.
2. Mohammed Siraj's Early Breakthroughs: Siraj’s quick strikes in the powerplay were crucial in getting RCB on the defensive. His wickets of Kohli and Padikkal allowed Gujarat to tighten their grip on the match.
3. Livingstone's Fightback: Liam Livingstone's aggressive 59* gave RCB a fighting chance, but his efforts alone were not enough to get them to a competitive total.
4. Buttler and Sudharsan’s Steady Partnership: Buttler and Sudharsan’s measured partnership at the start of the GT chase ensured there was no drama in the chase, as they easily saw their team to victory with 8 wickets in hand.
Key Highlights
- Mohammed Siraj took 3 wickets for 19 runs, playing a pivotal role in dismantling RCB's top order.
- Jos Buttler scored a match-winning 73 off 50 balls, leading GT to victory with ease.
- Liam Livingstone** fought valiantly with a knock of 59*, but his efforts were in vain as RCB posted a below-par total.
- R Sai Kishore made key breakthroughs by removing Jitesh Sharma and Krunal Pandya to halt RCB's recovery.
- Gujarat Titans chased down the target of 170 with 8 wickets in hand in just 18.5 overs.
Post-Match Reactions
Shubman Gill (GT Captain): "It was a complete performance from the team. Mohammed Siraj’s spell in the powerplay set the tone for us, and Jos Buttler’s batting was just exceptional. We always believed in our chase, and the team executed it perfectly."
Rajat Patidar (RCB Captain): "We didn’t start well with the bat, and when you lose four wickets early, it’s always tough to recover. Liam fought well, but we were always behind the game. We’ll look to bounce back stronger in the next match."
Points Table Update
With the win, Gujarat Titans moved up the IPL 2025 points table, climbing higher in the race for the playoffs. RCB’s first loss of the season doesn’t hurt them too much, but they will look to regroup and strengthen their position in the coming matches.
Conclusion
Gujarat Titans’ victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore was a dominant one, highlighting their all-round strength in the early stages of the IPL 2025 season. With a solid bowling performance from Siraj and a masterful innings from Buttler, GT sent a strong message to the rest of the competition. RCB, on the other hand, will need to regroup and work on their batting stability, especially in the early overs, as they aim to bounce back in their next encounter. The IPL 2025 season continues to heat up as teams jostle for a spot in the playoffs.