IPL 2025, GT vs PBKS: Captain Shreyas Iyer Leads Punjab Kings To 11-Run Victory Over Gujarat Titans
What a bizarre game! A high-scoring clash with Punjab Kings posting 244, thanks to some outstanding batting. GT started cautiously, but with wickets in hand, they knew any target was within reach. Sai and Buttler laid a strong foundation, even putting GT in a commanding position, but Arshdeep’s breakthrough, dismissing Sai, shifted the momentum.
Rutherford came in and played some quick shots but then had a puzzling phase. PBKS stuck to a simple plan—bowling wide outside off, away from his hitting arc—and he fell into the trap. Despite fielders stationed deep on the off-side, he kept trying to slice or loft rather than exploiting the vacant leg-side, where there was no deep square leg, deep backward square, or fine leg. For nearly 10 balls, he had the chance to step across, scoop, sweep, or slog to the leg-side but didn’t take it until the very end. Looking back, with GT falling just 11 runs short, that crucial phase of play ultimately cost them the match.
Opening Over Drama
Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill opened the batting for Gujarat Titans. Sai began with a comfortable flick to deep square leg for a single. However, the standout moment came when he stylishly lofted a delivery over the long-on fence for a massive six in just the second over, adding to the early excitement. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill was quick to contribute, particularly catching the eye with a perfectly timed flick over deep square leg for another six in the third over.
Power Play Prowess
The first six overs saw a flurry of boundaries and smart running between the wickets. Shubman Gill's inside-out shot over extra cover for four and Sai Sudharsan's audacious scoop over fine leg highlighted the Titans' aggressive intent. By the end of the first six overs, Gujarat had amassed a healthy total, laying a strong foundation for the chase.
Middle Over Maneuvers
The introduction of Glenn Maxwell into Punjab’s attack was a pivotal moment. Maxwell dismissed the dangerous Shubman Gill, who was caught at covers after making a quick-fire 33 off just 14 balls. This breakthrough moment was essential for Punjab, as it momentarily halted the Gujarat charge.
Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan seamlessly adjusted to the change in bowling, continuing to find gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking. His partnership with Jos Buttler added stability, with Buttler’s calculated stroke play complementing Sai’s aggression.
Crucial Middle Overs
The middle overs were a tense phase where both teams swapped the initiative. Sai Sudharsan reached his half-century but soon played second fiddle to Jos Buttler, who was finding his rhythm. Buttler’s cover drives and flicks showcased his class, and his partnership with Sai kept Gujarat in the hunt.
As the match headed into the final stages, Punjab Kings managed a couple of vital breakthroughs. Jos Buttler’s dismissal was a significant moment, and with new batsmen at the crease, Punjab sought to tighten their grip.
Penultimate Overs
The equation came down to 70 runs required off the last five overs, and the match was finely poised. Sherfane Rutherford emerged as the game-changer for Gujarat with some extraordinary hitting. His ability to find boundaries off good deliveries alleviated the pressure.
Key moments included
18.3: Sherfane Rutherford sliced it past short third man for a boundary.
18.6: Rahul Tewatia’s six over deep backward square leg.
19.2: Clean hit over long-off for a six by Rutherford.
The boundaries flowed as Rutherford clubbed the ball to all parts of the ground, bringing Gujarat tantalizingly close to the target.
Final Over Thriller
19.6 Arshdeep Singh to Shahrukh Khan, SIX! A grand finish, but PBKS just manage to hold on for the win! A wide yorker, but Shahrukh shuffles across and effortlessly lofts it over cover for a stunning six.
19.5 Arshdeep Singh to Arshad Khan, 1 run – A well-placed yorker outside off, Arshad digs it out towards short fine leg and scampers for a single.
Arshad Khan, left-handed bat, walks in to face the final deliveries.
19.4 Arshdeep Singh to Rutherford, Bowled! That’s the end of Rutherford! He goes for a powerful swing but only manages to drag it onto his stumps. PBKS now in complete control. A pinpoint off-side yorker outside off, Rutherford swings hard but gets an inside edge, crashing into the stumps.