In a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, the Gujarat Titans continued their impressive form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets. This match, which took place on April 6, 2025, marked the Titans' third consecutive victory of the season, solidifying their position in the upper echelons of the points table.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision influenced by the conditions of the pitch. "We will bowl first as it is a slowish wicket. The black soil makes batting easy in the second innings. The ball flies over here and it is important to adapt to the situation," Gill stated, reflecting on the tactical approach his team would take.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's captain Pat Cummins echoed a similar sentiment, expressing his initial desire to bowl first as well. "We wanted to bowl first as well but happy to bat. We are backing our aggressive cricket. It is important to back our strengths instead of getting timid," Cummins said before the match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, batting first, struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined Gujarat bowling attack. They managed to post a total of 152 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Mohammed Siraj was the standout performer with the ball for Gujarat, taking four wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs, marking his best bowling figures in IPL history. Siraj's remarkable performance included crucial breakthroughs that dismantled the Sunrisers’ batting order.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma provided a brief resistance, but Siraj's scalps, including that of Head (8 off 5) and Sharma (18 off 16), left SRH reeling at 49 for 3. Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy attempted to stabilize the innings, but they too fell victim to the relentless Gujarat attack. Ultimately, Heinrich Klaasen (27 off 19) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (31 off 34) formed a partnership that pushed SRH past the 100-run mark, but it was not enough to set a competitive target.
Washington Sundar, who was promoted to bat at number four, contributed significantly with a brisk 49 runs off 29 balls, helping to stabilize the innings after a shaky start. However, he fell just short of his fifty when he was caught spectacularly by Aniket Verma off the bowling of Simarjeet Singh.
In response, the Gujarat Titans began their chase with a few hiccups, losing two early wickets. Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins put the pressure on, with Cummins dismissing the dangerous Jos Buttler for a duck. At 16 for 2, the Titans needed a partnership to regain control, and they found it in the form of Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar.
Gill, who scored 61 runs off 43 balls, played a crucial role in the chase, bringing his experience and class to the fore. He and Sundar combined for a formidable 90-run partnership for the third wicket, which was pivotal in guiding Gujarat towards their target. Gill reached his fifty with a stylish boundary, showcasing his prowess against the Sunrisers.
After Sundar’s dismissal, Gujarat brought on Sherfane Rutherford as an impact player. Rutherford made an immediate impact, smashing 35 runs off just 16 balls, including six fours and a six, as the Titans chased down the target in just 16.4 overs.
This victory not only highlighted the Titans' batting depth but also showcased their bowling strength, with Siraj's performance being the highlight of the match. Following this win, Gujarat Titans climbed to the second spot on the points table, boasting six points from four matches. In contrast, Sunrisers Hyderabad found themselves at the bottom, having suffered their fourth consecutive loss, with only two points from five matches.
Looking ahead, the Gujarat Titans will aim to maintain their momentum as they continue their campaign in the IPL 2025. With Shubman Gill leading from the front and a well-rounded squad, they are poised to challenge for the title once again. As for the Sunrisers, they will need to regroup and reassess their strategies if they hope to turn their season around and climb up the standings.
