Did Gill and Buttler's Fifties Lead GT to 209/4 in Jaipur?

Jaipur, April 28 (NationPress) The formidable top order featuring Shubman Gill (84), Sai Sudharsan (39) and Jos Buttler (50 not out) maintained their exceptional performance as Gujarat Titans (GT) posted a total of 209/4 in 20 overs during match 47 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, held at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Monday.

For the Rajasthan Royals, Maheesh Theekshana emerged as the standout bowler, securing two crucial wickets.

Though a high score was anticipated with the explosive opening duo of Gill and Sudharsan at the crease, RR was presented with an opportunity to strike early when Sudharsan was dropped by Shimron Hetmeyer off Theekshana in the second over.

This slip proved critical as the pair aggressively attacked the RR bowlers, with Gill striking successive boundaries against Yudhvir Singh. By the end of the powerplay, Gill and Sudharsan had propelled their score to 53/0, each taking turns to hit the ball to the boundary.

The skipper initiated the first six of the match against his counterpart by executing a stunning shot over mid-wicket off Riyan Parag. Gill ultimately reached his fourth half-century of the season in just 29 balls.

Sudharsan, nearing his sixth fifty of the season and having reclaimed the orange cap, fell victim to Theekshana in the 11th over. A full delivery led him to attempt a big hit over long-on, but he ended up catching it straight to Parag.

With Buttler now in the mix, Gill pushed the scoring rate further. He began by blasting Sandeep Sharma’s full-toss for six, then added two more sixes off Yudhvir, both over deep square leg, with a flick and pull.

Buttler was determined not to let Gill shoulder all the burden, especially at his former home ground. He inflicted significant damage on Wanindu Hasaranga’s economy, hitting three sixes and a four after the Sri Lankan all-rounder had started well, conceding only 14 runs in three overs.

Gill's pursuit of a fifth IPL century was interrupted by Theekshana, who dismissed him in a manner reminiscent of Sudharsan’s wicket, as he tried to clear the boundary but found Parag instead. Gill finished with a commendable score of 84, yet felt the sting of not crossing the century mark after scoring 90 in the previous game. His innings featured a strike rate of 168, with five boundaries and four sixes.

Buttler and Washington Sundar (13) each hit a six off Jofra Archer in the 18th over before Sundar was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma in the next over. Hetmeyer redeemed himself for the earlier drop by executing a stellar diving catch. Archer got his only wicket of the night, dismissing Rahul Tewatia (9) via lbw. Buttler concluded with his fourth fifty of the season in just 26 balls, finishing with a double on the last ball as Gujarat reached 209/4 in their allotted overs.

Brief Score: Gujarat Titans 209/4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 84, Jos Buttler 50 not out; Maheesh Theekshana 2-35, Sandeep Sharma 1-33) vs Rajasthan Royals