source : BCCI
In a high-octane clash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans (GT) chased down a massive 204-run target against Delhi Capitals (DC), riding on Jos Buttler’s masterclass. His unbeaten 97 off 54 balls powered GT to their first successful 200+ chase at home and lifted them to the top of the IPL 2025 points table. Buttler, who had kept wickets in the scorching afternoon heat, showed no signs of fatigue as he orchestrated the run chase with calm authority.
DC, despite setting up a strong total of 203 for 8, couldn’t defend it. Prasidh Krishna starred with the ball, taking 4 for 41 and removing key batters like KL Rahul and Karun Nair. But the Capitals’ failure to keep Buttler quiet proved costly. His partnerships with Sai Sudharsan (60 runs) and Sherfane Rutherford (119 runs) ensured GT never lost grip on the chase.
The turning point came in the 15th over when Buttler took down Mitchell Starc for 20 runs, slicing through the gaps with precision and composure. Even as GT lost Rutherford in the penultimate over, Rahul Tewatia’s calm finishing act — a six and a four off the first two balls of the final over — sealed the deal with four balls to spare. Buttler’s relentless strokeplay proved too good for DC’s death bowling.
Earlier in the day, DC had a promising start after being put in to bat. Porel and Nair gave early momentum, while Rahul and Stubbs added quick runs. Axar Patel held one end but couldn’t accelerate late in the innings. Ashutosh Sharma added a few big hits at the death, but Prasidh’s late strikes and sharp fielding from GT, including a diving catch from Buttler, restricted DC from going even bigger.
With this seven-wicket victory, Gujarat Titans not only achieved a record chase but also exposed the vulnerability in DC’s bowling lineup when defending totals. Buttler’s blend of grit and aggression stood tall as the defining performance of the match — a game that might well be remembered as the moment GT announced themselves as title favorites.
