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Gujarat Titans Crush Rajasthan Royals with Batting Power and All-Round Brilliance in IPL 2025
GT Extend Dominance with Fourth Consecutive Win
Gujarat Titans asserted their supremacy yet again in IPL 2025, securing a dominant 58-run win over Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 9. Led by Sai Sudharsan’s exceptional 82-run knock, Titans posted a massive 217/6 before dismantling the Royals’ batting lineup. The victory marked Gujarat’s fourth win in a row, solidifying their position in the points table.
Match-Turning Moment: Middle Overs Mastery
Strategic Edge in the Crucial Middle Phase
While both teams were neck-and-neck until the 15th over, Gujarat Titans had a decisive advantage—they retained eight wickets heading into the death overs. This allowed them to accelerate fearlessly, unlike the Royals who faltered due to the loss of key middle-order wickets. By the 15th over, GT led marginally by just six runs but had the tactical edge with their batting depth intact.
Comparison of Middle Overs Performance
| Parameter | Gujarat Titans | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 89/1 | 82/4 |
| Run Rate | 9.88 | 9.11 |
| 4s/6s | 10/2 | 5/4 |
Gujarat Titans’ Innings: From Resilience to Ruthlessness
Powerplay: Archer Strikes Early, Sai Fires Back
Titans began with a slight hiccup as Shubman Gill fell to a sharp inswinger from Jofra Archer. But Sai Sudharsan counterattacked with flair, executing two ramp shots for sixes off Farooqi and Deshpande. By the end of the powerplay, GT had recovered well with a score of 56/1, setting the stage for a big total.
Middle Overs: Sai and Shahrukh Take Charge
With boundaries flowing, Titans capitalized on the momentum. While Jos Buttler briefly threatened with aggressive strokeplay for RR, his dismissal by Theekshana opened the gates for GT. Shahrukh Khan then punished Farooqi and Theekshana, ensuring GT held control with 89/1 in the middle overs.
Death Overs: Late Surge Seals the Deal
Despite RR pulling back with a few quick wickets—including Shahrukh and Rutherford—Sai Sudharsan’s brilliance ensured Titans didn’t lose momentum. After Sudharsan’s departure, cameos from Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan helped Gujarat breach the 200-run mark. Their final score of 217 was a testament to their batting depth and composure.
Rajasthan Royals’ Reply: Early Setbacks Hurt the Chase
Powerplay: Matching GT’s Start
Rajasthan’s response began on a shaky note. Jaiswal and Rana departed early, but Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag attempted to revive the innings. Parag’s aggressive strokeplay, including towering sixes off Siraj and Krishna, helped RR reach 57/2 by the end of six overs—almost mirroring GT’s start.
Middle Overs: Wickets Derail Progress
RR’s chase began to unravel when Parag and Jurel fell in quick succession. Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna were instrumental in breaking partnerships. Despite Hetmyer’s fighting half-century, a lack of support from the other end made the chase one-dimensional.
Death Overs: Hetmyer’s Lone Resistance Ends
Shimron Hetmyer tried to rally the innings, bringing up his fifty with a boundary early in the 17th over. However, Prasidh Krishna’s pace proved too hot to handle as he picked up Hetmyer and another batter in the same over. Sai Kishore polished off the tail, ending the Royals’ innings at 159 in 19.2 overs.
Final Score Summary
Gujarat Titans – 217/6 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 82, Shahrukh Khan 36)
Rajasthan Royals – 159 all out in 19.2 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 52; Prasidh Krishna 3/24, Sai Kishore 2/20)
Result: Gujarat Titans won by 58 runs.
📌 Related: IPL 2025 News Updates
What’s Next for GT and RR?
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Gujarat Titans will face Lucknow Super Giants away on April 12, aiming for a fifth straight win.
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Rajasthan Royals, after five away games, will finally play in Jaipur, where they host Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 13 in what promises to be a crucial fixture for them.
🔗 Learn more: ESPNcricinfo – Full IPL 2025 Coverage
