Gujarat Titans faced off against Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 9, 2025. The Titans, batting first, put on a formidable total of 217 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, thanks to an explosive innings from Sai Sudharsan, who scored 82 runs off just 53 balls. His innings featured eight boundaries and three sixes, setting a strong foundation for Gujarat's innings.
Despite losing their captain Shubman Gill early to Jofra Archer, who bowled him out for just 2 runs, the Titans rallied impressively. Jos Buttler and M Shahrukh Khan both chipped in with crucial contributions of 36 runs each. The late-order fireworks from Rahul Tewatia, who smashed a quick-fire cameo towards the end of the innings, helped propel the Titans to their imposing total, with Tewatia particularly punishing Sandeep Sharma in the final over.
For the Royals, Maheesh Theekshana and Tushar Deshpande each picked up two wickets, but they were expensive, conceding over 100 runs in their combined eight overs. Jofra Archer and Sandeep Sharma also claimed a wicket each, but the Titans' aggressive batting approach proved too much for the Royals to handle.
As the Royals began their chase, they faced immediate setbacks, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana early on. Jaiswal was dismissed by Arshad Khan, while Mohammed Siraj made quick work of Rana, who scored just 1 run off 3 balls. The Royals found themselves in a precarious position at 18/2 after just 3 overs, needing 200 runs off 102 balls.
However, Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson began to stabilize the innings, with Parag showcasing his aggressive batting by scoring 25 runs off just 12 balls. The duo managed to lift the Royals' scoring rate, but the pressure was mounting as wickets continued to fall around them. The Titans' bowlers, particularly Rashid Khan, who took a crucial wicket of Dhruv Jurel, were relentless in their pursuit of victory.
As the match progressed, Rajasthan's situation grew more dire. By the halfway mark, the Royals were at 45/2, needing to maintain a steady run rate to chase down the daunting target. The pressure intensified when Kulwant scalped Riyan Parag, further crippling the Royals' chances.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Sanju Samson remained at the crease, hoping to anchor the innings. However, with a required run rate climbing towards 13 runs per over, the Royals were in a tough spot. They needed 133 runs off 60 balls as the match approached its death overs.
In a bid to regain momentum, Shimron Hetmyer entered the fray, hitting a six off Rashid Khan's first delivery. However, with wickets tumbling, the Royals found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the required run rate. The Titans' bowlers, particularly Rashid Khan, were effective in stifling the Royals' batting order, maintaining pressure throughout the innings.
As the innings progressed, the Royals were left to rely heavily on their captain, Sanju Samson, who had shown glimpses of brilliance with his 23 runs off 16 balls. The situation became critical when Rajasthan slumped to 70/4, with Rashid Khan taking the vital wicket of Jurel, caught by Sai Sudharsan.
The Titans' bowlers executed their plans with precision, making it increasingly difficult for the Royals to build any significant partnerships. With each passing over, the required runs mounted, and the pressure became palpable.
Ultimately, the Titans' disciplined bowling and strategic field placements proved decisive. They restricted the Royals to a mere 85 runs for the loss of 4 wickets at the halfway point of their innings, leaving them needing a staggering 133 runs off the final 60 balls.
The match was a testament to the Titans' strength and strategy, showcasing their ability to dominate both with bat and ball. As the Royals struggled to find their footing, the Titans looked poised to secure a crucial victory in this IPL season.
With the Titans' bowlers in fine form and the Royals needing a miracle to turn the game around, the outcome seemed increasingly clear. As the match continued, cricket fans were treated to a display of high-stakes drama, skill, and the relentless pursuit of victory that defines the IPL.
