The IPL 2025 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium turned out to be a challenging outing for the home side. After a blistering start to their season, SRH found themselves in a rut, suffering their fourth consecutive defeat against a confident Titans side, who have now won three matches in a row.
Gujarat Titans won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that proved pivotal as they quickly dismantled the SRH batting lineup. Mohammed Siraj set the tone early, claiming the wickets of both openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, in quick succession. Head, who had begun the innings with a couple of boundaries, fell for just 8 runs, caught after a poorly executed flick. Abhishek Sharma fared slightly better, scoring 18 off 16 balls before being dismissed by Siraj as well, leaving the Sunrisers in early trouble at 38 for 2.
SRH captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team’s aggressive batting approach despite their recent struggles. "We’re not going to change our style; we believe in our ability to score quickly," he said before the match. However, the Titans’ bowlers were relentless, with Siraj finishing with impressive figures of 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs.
As the innings progressed, Ishan Kishan, who had shown promise in earlier matches, continued to struggle, scoring only 17 runs before falling to Prasidh Krishna. Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy attempted to stabilize the innings, but their efforts were thwarted by Sai Kishore, who bowled a brilliant spell, taking 2 wickets for 24 runs. He dismissed Klaasen for 27 off 19 balls and Reddy for 31 off 34 balls, further tightening Gujarat’s grip on the match.
At the halfway mark, SRH found themselves in dire straits, struggling at 105 for 5 in the 16th over. The team had not hit a six in the first ten overs for the first time since 2024, which highlighted their struggles against the Titans’ bowling attack. Their first six came only in the 13th over when Klaasen struck Rashid Khan over long-on, but it was too little, too late.
Despite their aggressive approach, SRH’s batting lacked the firepower and consistency that had characterized their earlier matches. They had started the season with a bang, scoring a staggering 286 runs against Rajasthan Royals, but since then, they have faltered, posting scores of 190, 163, and 120 in their last three matches against Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively.
Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have shown remarkable resilience after an initial loss to Punjab Kings. Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, they have found their rhythm, winning against Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru before facing SRH. Gill, while addressing the media, noted, "We’ve worked hard to adapt to the conditions, and it’s paying off. Our bowlers are in form, and we’re looking to maintain this momentum."
The Titans’ bowling attack proved to be too strong for SRH, with both Siraj and Krishna delivering crucial breakthroughs. Siraj’s performance was complemented by Sai Kishore’s effective left-arm spin, which stifled the run rate and kept the pressure on the SRH batsmen. Rashid Khan, facing his former team for the first time in Hyderabad, had a quiet outing, finishing wicketless but contributing to the overall pressure with tight bowling.
As the innings drew to a close, SRH’s hopes of reaching a competitive total dwindled. They ended their innings at 132 for 8, a stark contrast to their explosive start to the season. The Titans, confident and in control, needed just 133 runs to secure their third consecutive victory.
In their chase, Gujarat Titans looked poised, with their batting lineup bolstered by the likes of Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill. With the pitch appearing to slow down, it was crucial for GT to approach the chase with caution. However, given their recent form and SRH’s batting woes, the Titans were heavy favorites to clinch the match.
As the match progresses, fans are left wondering if SRH can turn their fortunes around or if the Titans will continue their winning streak and solidify their position in the top echelons of the IPL 2025 points table. With both teams showcasing contrasting forms, the outcome is eagerly awaited.
In a post-match interview, Cummins reflected on the performance, stating, "We need to regroup and reassess our strategy. We have the talent, but we need to execute better under pressure." Meanwhile, Gill expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus as they look forward to their next fixtures.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, the rivalry between these two teams continues to heat up, promising exciting encounters in the matches to come.