Ahmedabad, April 19 (NationPress) Jos Buttler’s remarkable unbeaten 97 propelled the Gujarat Titans to a resounding seven-wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals in Match 35 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The home team successfully chased down a target of 204 runs, finishing at 204/3 with four balls remaining, thereby claiming the top spot on the points table, surpassing the Delhi Capitals.

Despite falling short of a century, Buttler’s extraordinary innings of 97 runs off 54 balls was crucial for his team, especially considering the challenging weather conditions. His performance included 11 boundaries and four sixes, all while he faced cramps throughout the innings.

This victory not only elevated Gujarat to the top of the IPL standings but also marked them as the first team to successfully chase a target exceeding 200 runs against the Delhi franchise.

In the initial innings, Delhi Capitals batted first and exhibited an all-round batting display, spearheaded by Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma, who guided the team to a total of 203/8 in their 20 overs. For the Gujarat Titans, Prasidh Krishna shone with the ball, earning the Purple Cap with impressive figures of 4-41, accumulating a total of 14 wickets this season. Delhi's innings started well with strong contributions from Tristian Stubbs, Karun Nair (31), and KL Rahul, but Krishna's excellent bowling spell curtailed their scoring, forcing DC to settle for a total of 203/8.

Gujarat’s chase began on a challenging note, with skipper Shubman Gill run out early in the second over, courtesy of a precise throw from Nair.

Nonetheless, the in-form Sai Sudharsan and Buttler stabilized the innings, building a solid foundation for the chase. Things heated up in the fifth over when Buttler hit Vipraj Nigam for back-to-back sixes.

Sudharsan appeared to be in excellent form, striking five boundaries and one six before being dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav in the eighth over, caught at mid-on by Stubbs.

As Delhi seemed poised to make a comeback, a pivotal 119-run partnership between Sherfane Rutherford and Buttler shifted the momentum in favor of the home side. Buttler reached his half-century in just 32 balls and intensified his scoring.

The turning point occurred in the 15th over when Axar Patel tasked his most reliable bowler, Mitchell Starc, with turning the match around. However, Buttler unleashed a flurry of five consecutive boundaries against the Australian pacer.

With victory seemingly secured, a dramatic twist unfolded in the penultimate over when Mukesh Kumar dismissed Rutherford with a catch taken by Starc after he chased down the ball. Nevertheless, with just 10 runs needed in the last over, Rahul Tewatia launched Starc for a six on the first ball, followed by an edged four, sealing a memorable win for Gujarat Titans.

Brief scores:

Delhi Capitals 203/8 in 20 overs (Axar Patel 39, Ashutosh Sharma 37; Prasidh Krishna 4-41, Ishant Sharma 1-19) lost to Gujarat Titans 204/3 in 19.2 overs (Jos Buttler 97*, Sherfane Rutherford 43, Sai Sudharsan 36; Kuldeep Yadav 1-30, Mukesh Kumar 1-40) by seven wickets.