The Indian Premier League (IPL) never fails to deliver heart-pounding cricket action, and the 14th match of the 2025 season between Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Match Scorecard at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 2, 2025, was no exception. Fans packed the stands, buzzing with excitement, as RCB took on GT in a clash that promised fireworks. The result? A clinical performance by Gujarat Titans, who chased down RCB’s total with ease, winning by 8 wickets with 13 balls to spare. Let’s dive into the match, break down the scorecard, and relive the moments that made this game unforgettable.
The Build-Up: A Clash of Titans
RCB, playing their first home game of the season, came in with high hopes. The team, led by Rajat Patidar, boasted a star-studded lineup with the likes of Virat Kohli, Liam Livingstone, and Phil Salt. On the other side, Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, were riding the momentum of their early season form. With players like Jos Buttler and Mohammed Siraj in their ranks, GT looked poised to challenge RCB’s batting might on the high-scoring Chinnaswamy pitch.
The toss went GT’s way, and they elected to bowl first, a decision that would set the tone for their dominant performance. The Bengaluru crowd, ever passionate, roared as RCB’s openers stepped out, but little did they know that GT’s bowlers had a plan up their sleeves.
RCB’s Innings: A Rocky Start, A Fighting Finish
RCB’s batting lineup started with a bang but quickly hit turbulence. Here’s how their innings unfolded:
Early Collapse: GT’s Bowlers Strike
RCB’s innings got off to a shaky start as GT’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj, came out firing. Virat Kohli, the crowd favorite, fell early for just 7 runs in the 2nd over, caught at long leg off Arshad Khan’s bowling. The Chinnaswamy fell silent as Kohli walked back, his trademark intensity replaced by disappointment. Just a few balls later, Devdutt Padikkal was bowled by Siraj for 4, leaving RCB at 13/2 in the 3rd over. Phil Salt, known for his aggressive strokeplay, tried to counterattack but was dismissed for 14 in the 5th over, again by Siraj, who was proving to be a nightmare for his former team.
By the 7th over, RCB were reeling at 42/4 after captain Rajat Patidar was trapped lbw by Ishant Sharma for 12. The Titans’ bowlers had exploited the early conditions perfectly, with Siraj’s fiery spell (3/19 in 4 overs) setting the tone. The RCB fans, usually so vocal, were stunned into silence.
The Recovery: Livingstone and Sharma Shine
Just when it seemed like RCB’s innings might crumble, Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma stepped up. The duo stitched together a crucial 52-run partnership for the 5th wicket, bringing stability and momentum. Livingstone, with his flair for big shots, played a measured yet aggressive knock, while Sharma’s quickfire 33 off 21 balls (5 fours, 1 six) injected life into the innings. Their partnership was a mix of smart running and calculated risks, with Sharma’s lofted cover drives and Livingstone’s towering sixes keeping the scoreboard ticking.
However, GT struck back. Sai Kishore, the left-arm spinner, broke the partnership by dismissing Sharma in the 13th over, caught by Rahul Tewatia at long-on. Krunal Pandya followed soon after, falling to Kishore for a soft dismissal, leaving RCB at 104/6 in the 15th over. The Titans were in control, but RCB weren’t done yet.
The Late Surge: Livingstone and David Fight Back
Liam Livingstone, now in full flow, reached his half-century and took the attack to GT’s bowlers. Alongside Tim David, he forged a 46-run stand for the 7th wicket. Livingstone’s 54 off 40 balls (1 four, 5 sixes) was a masterclass in power-hitting, with his ability to clear the ropes electrifying the crowd. David, meanwhile, played a blistering cameo, scoring 32 off 18 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), including some audacious shots in the death overs.
Despite their efforts, RCB kept losing wickets at crucial moments. Livingstone fell in the 19th over to Siraj, who completed his three-wicket haul, and David was bowled by Prasidh Krishna on the last ball of the innings. RCB finished at 169/8 in 20 overs, a total that captain Patidar later admitted was 15-20 runs short of a competitive score on the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy pitch.
GT’s Bowling: Siraj Steals the Show
Mohammed Siraj was the star for GT, finishing with figures of 3/19 in 4 overs. His ability to swing the ball and bowl pinpoint yorkers dismantled RCB’s top order. Sai Kishore supported with 2/22, while Prasidh Krishna and Ishant Sharma chipped in with a wicket each. Rashid Khan, usually GT’s trump card, was expensive, conceding 54 runs without a wicket, but the damage had already been done by Siraj’s fiery opening spell.
GT’s Chase: Buttler and Rutherford Seal the Deal
Chasing 170 in Bengaluru is usually a walk in the park, and GT’s batsmen made it look just that. Here’s how their innings played out:
Steady Start: Gill and Sudharsan Set the Tone
GT’s openers, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, started cautiously, assessing the pitch during the powerplay. They put on 32 runs before Gill fell for 14 in the 5th over, caught by Livingstone off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bowling. Sudharsan, however, looked in fine touch, playing elegant drives and lofted cover shots. He was joined by Jos Buttler, and the duo took control.
The Buttler-Sudharsan Show
Sudharsan and Buttler put on a match-defining 75-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Sudharsan’s 49 off 36 balls (7 fours, 1 six) was a blend of class and composure, while Buttler unleashed his destructive best, racing to a half-century. Their partnership broke the back of the chase, with Buttler’s aggressive intent complementing Sudharsan’s anchor role. Sudharsan fell just one run short of a fifty in the 13th over, caught by Jitesh Sharma off Josh Hazlewood, but by then, GT were cruising at 107/2.
The Finishing Touch: Buttler and Rutherford
With the required run rate well under control, Jos Buttler took charge. His 73 not out off 39 balls (5 fours, 6 sixes) was a masterclass in T20 batting. From reverse ramps to towering pulls, Buttler had an answer for everything RCB threw at him. Sherfane Rutherford, who came in as an impact substitute, played a perfect supporting role, scoring an unbeaten 30 off 18 balls (1 four, 3 sixes). Their 63-run partnership for the 3rd wicket was pure domination, with Rutherford’s massive six off Hazlewood in the 18th over sealing the victory in style.
GT finished at 170/2 in 17.5 overs, winning by 8 wickets with 13 balls to spare. Buttler’s performance earned him praise, but it was Siraj who was named Player of the Match for his game-changing bowling.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Match Scorecard: A Detailed Look
Here’s the full Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans Match Scorecard, capturing every key moment:
Team |
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
SR |
Dismissal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RCB Innings (20 overs, 169/8) |
|||||||
Phil Salt |
14 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 107.69 |
b Mohammed Siraj |
|
Virat Kohli |
7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 116.66 |
c Prasidh Krishna b Arshad Khan |
|
Devdutt Padikkal |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
b Mohammed Siraj |
|
Rajat Patidar (c) |
12 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
lbw b Ishant Sharma |
|
Liam Livingstone |
54 | 40 | 1 | 5 | 135.00 |
c Jos Buttler b Mohammed Siraj |
|
Jitesh Sharma (wk) |
33 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 157.14 |
c Rahul Tewatia b Sai Kishore |
|
Krunal Pandya |
5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
c & b Sai Kishore |
|
Tim David |
32 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 177.78 |
b Prasidh Krishna |
|
Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
1* | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
not out |
|
Extras |
7 (lb 4, W 3) |
||||||
Total |
169/8 (20 overs, RR: 8.45) |
||||||
Did not bat: Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Salam |
|||||||
Fall of Wickets |
8-1 (Kohli, 1.4), 13-2 (Padikkal, 2.2), 35-3 (Salt, 4.4), 42-4 (Patidar, 6.2), 94-5 (Sharma, 12.4), 104-6 (Pandya, 14.2), 150-7 (Livingstone, 18.2), 169-8 (David, 19.6) |
GT Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
Notable Moments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mohammed Siraj |
4 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 4.75 |
Dismantled RCB’s top order |
Arshad Khan |
2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 8.50 |
Got Kohli early |
Prasidh Krishna |
4 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 6.50 |
Finished innings with David’s wicket |
Ishant Sharma |
2 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 13.50 |
Trapped Patidar lbw |
Sai Kishore |
4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 |
Broke key partnerships |
Rashid Khan |
4 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 13.50 |
Expensive but kept pressure |
GT Innings (170/2, 17.5 overs) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sai Sudharsan |
49 | 36 | 7 | 1 | 136.11 |
c Jitesh Sharma b Hazlewood |
|
Shubman Gill (c) |
14 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 100.00 |
c Livingstone b Bhuvneshwar |
|
Jos Buttler (wk) |
73* | 39 | 5 | 6 | 187.18 |
not out |
|
Sherfane Rutherford |
30* | 18 | 1 | 3 | 166.67 |
not out |
|
Extras |
4 (lb 3, w 1) |
||||||
Total |
170/2 (17.5 overs, RR: 9.53) |
||||||
Did not bat: Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma |
|||||||
Fall of Wickets |
32-1 (Gill, 4.4), 107-2 (Sudharsan, 12.3) |
RCB Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
Notable Moments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
4 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 5.75 |
Dismissed Gill early |
Josh Hazlewood |
3.5 | 0 | 43 | 1 | 11.21 |
Got Sudharsan but was expensive |
Yash Dayal |
3 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 6.67 |
Kept things tight |
Rasikh Salam |
3 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 11.67 |
Struggled to contain Buttler |
Krunal Pandya |
3 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 11.33 |
No breakthroughs |
Liam Livingstone |
1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12.00 |
Tried spin but was hit |
Key Moments and Performances
-
Mohammed Siraj’s Spell: Siraj’s 3/19 was the game-changer. His early wickets, including Kohli and Salt, put RCB on the back foot.
-
Livingstone’s Fightback: Liam Livingstone’s 54 was a lone bright spot for RCB, showing his ability to anchor and attack.
-
Buttler’s Blitz: Jos Buttler’s 73* was a T20 masterclass, with his sixes in the 17th over sealing GT’s victory.
-
Rutherford’s Cameo: Sherfane Rutherford’s quickfire 30* ensured GT finished the chase with ease.
Post-Match Reflections
In the post-match presentation, Siraj, named Player of the Match, spoke emotionally about facing his former team. “I was nervous at the start, but once I got the ball, it all came together,” he said. GT captain Shubman Gill praised his team’s adaptability, while RCB’s Rajat Patidar admitted the early wickets hurt their chances but lauded Livingstone and Sharma’s efforts.
What’s Next?
For RCB, this loss was a wake-up call. They’ll need to regroup and address their top-order fragility. GT, meanwhile, will look to carry this momentum forward, though their fielding needs work after a few dropped catches. The IPL 2025 season is heating up, and this match was a reminder of how unpredictable and thrilling T20 cricket can be.