28 April,2025 09:31 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondent
Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler (Pic: iplt20/BCCI)
Skipper Shubman Gill produced a sparkling knock of 84, while Jos Buttler delivered a blistering unbeaten 50, propelling Gujarat Titans to an imposing total of 209 for four against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2025 encounter here on Monday.
Gill was at his fluent best, smashing four towering sixes and five elegant boundaries during his 50-ball innings. The young captain stitched together a crucial 93-run partnership for the opening wicket with Sai Sudharsan, laying a solid foundation for the Titans. Sudharsan, playing a steady hand, contributed a valuable 39 runs to the partnership, ensuring Gujarat got off to a commanding start.
Later, Jos Buttler, facing his former franchise, unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes to accelerate the innings further. The Englishman was particularly ruthless, clobbering four sixes and three fours on his way to an unbeaten 50 off just 26 deliveries. Buttler's aggressive finish ensured Gujarat Titans crossed the 200-run mark, setting a formidable target for Rajasthan Royals to chase.
Gill's authoritative innings saw him take charge from the outset, finding gaps with precision and timing his strokes to perfection. His ability to effortlessly clear the ropes and rotate the strike kept the scoreboard ticking and the pressure firmly on the opposition.
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Meanwhile, Buttler's ferocity in the death overs left little room for the Royals' bowlers to recover. Targeting the spinners and pacers alike, Buttler's onslaught helped Gujarat Titans finish with a flourish, ensuring momentum stayed firmly in their favour heading into the second half of the match.
Among the bowlers, Maheesh Theekshana was the pick for Rajasthan Royals, returning figures of 2 for 35 in his four overs. Despite his efforts, Gujarat's aggressive batting display left the Royals facing a daunting task.
With the platform set and momentum on their side, Gujarat Titans look to have seized early control of the contest. Rajasthan Royals, needing 210 runs for victory, will require a special effort from their top order to stay in the hunt.
