Ishant Sharma achieved a rare milestone on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by dismissing the captains of the same franchise 18 years apart. The event unfolded during the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The veteran India pacer, who has been part of every IPL season since its inception in 2008, struck early by getting RCB captain Rajat Patidar out in the very first over of his spell. Patidar was trapped in front, marking a significant moment in Ishant's career. Interestingly, the lanky pacer from Delhi had previously dismissed then-RCB captain Rahul Dravid in the first over of his spell back in 2008.
This achievement made Ishant Sharma the first and only player to dismiss captains of the same team in both 2008 and 2025. Back in 2008, he played for Kolkata Knight Riders, and both of his wickets came at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which hosted the IPL's inaugural match.
For context, the wicket of Rahul Dravid was Ishant's first in his IPL career, while Rajat Patidar became his maiden wicket for Gujarat Titans. The 36-year-old pacer dismissed Patidar on the second ball of his second match for Gujarat, having been acquired by the franchise for ₹75 lakhs.
Earlier in the match, Gujarat Titans won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that proved to be strategic as they limited RCB to a total of 169 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Mohammed Siraj was the standout bowler for GT, claiming three wickets and helping his team maintain control by taking wickets at regular intervals.
RCB's batting lineup featured Liam Livingstone, who top-scored with 54 runs, while Jitesh Sharma and Tim David contributed 32 runs each. The RCB innings got off to a rocky start, losing four wickets within the first eight overs of the match, which put them on the back foot.
Shubman Gill, the captain of Gujarat Titans, explained the decision to bowl first, stating, "We feel the pitch will play better under lights, and the dew factor might come in later. We have a balanced lineup and are backing our bowlers to do the job early on."
RCB, riding high on confidence after two convincing victories over Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, aimed to extend their winning streak at home. Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB has displayed formidable batting strength, with Phil Salt at the top, Patidar in the middle order, and power-hitters Liam Livingstone and Tim David in the lower order.
Meanwhile, GT was looking to bounce back and register their first win of the season. Their bowling attack, featuring the pace duo of Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, along with the spin threat of Rashid Khan, was crucial in restricting RCB’s explosive batting lineup.
As the match progressed, RCB struggled to build partnerships, with wickets falling at crucial moments. Mohammed Siraj's exceptional bowling figures of 4-0-19-3 highlighted his impact in the match, especially as he dismissed half-centurion Liam Livingstone on the second delivery of the 19th over.
RCB's innings concluded at 169 runs, with Prasidh Krishna conceding 16 runs in the final over, allowing RCB to set a target of 170 runs for GT. The Gujarat Titans began their chase with captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan at the crease, aiming to capitalize on the momentum gained from their bowling performance.
As the innings break arrived, Gujarat Titans were well-positioned at 75 runs for 1 wicket in 9 overs, needing 95 runs in 66 balls with nine wickets in hand. Jos Buttler, who had already made an impact, smashed 17 runs off Rasikh Dar Salam's over, showcasing the aggressive intent of the GT batting lineup.
The RCB bowling attack, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, opened the innings with a tight first over, conceding just four runs. However, the Titans quickly found their footing, with Sudharsan and Gill taking their time to settle in.
As the match unfolded, it became clear that the Gujarat Titans were in a strong position to chase down the target set by RCB, with the packed Chinnaswamy Stadium buzzing with anticipation.
In the early stages of the chase, GT scored 52 runs for 1 wicket in 7 overs, with Sudharsan targeting Josh Hazlewood effectively. The RCB bowlers were under pressure to contain the scoring rate as the Titans looked to capitalize on any loose deliveries.
With the game still in progress, fans were treated to a thrilling display of cricket, with the outcome hanging in the balance as both teams vied for crucial points in the IPL 2025 season.
As the match continued, both teams displayed their strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for an exciting finish. The IPL 2025 season has already proven to be unpredictable, with teams looking to establish their dominance early on.
With the Gujarat Titans needing just 95 runs from 66 balls and nine wickets in hand, they appeared poised to secure their first win of the season, while RCB would need to rally their bowlers to turn the tide in their favor.
As the match progresses, cricket fans around the world are glued to their screens, eager to see how this thrilling encounter unfolds.
