Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals – A Thrilling Encounter
On April 19, 2025, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was buzzing with excitement as the Gujarat Titans (GT) took on the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 35th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This afternoon clash, kicking off at 3:30 PM, delivered a spectacle that had fans glued to their screens. With Delhi leading the points table with 5 wins in 6 matches and Gujarat hot on their heels with 4 wins, this game was poised to shake things up. And it did! Powered by Jos Buttler’s scintillating unbeaten 97 and Prasidh Krishna’s fiery 4-wicket haul, Gujarat clinched a 7-wicket victory, storming to the top of the points table. Let’s dive into the heart-pounding moments, standout performances, and fascinating facts from this unforgettable match.
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Toss and Game Plan: Gujarat Opts to Bowl
The match began with Gujarat Titans’ captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. With the Ahmedabad sun blazing at 38°C, Gill’s decision was a calculated one. “The pitch looks good, but the heat makes bowling first a smarter choice,” he said at the toss. Delhi’s stand-in captain Axar Patel, who would’ve preferred to bowl as well, had to settle for batting first after losing the toss. Gujarat stuck with their unchanged XI, while Delhi made a bold move, resting Jake Fraser-McGurk and bringing in Karun Nair.
Delhi’s Batting: A Fiery Start Fizzles Out
Delhi Capitals opened with Abhishek Porel and Karun Nair, and Porel wasted no time setting the tone. He smashed two boundaries and a six off Mohammed Siraj’s opening over, signaling an aggressive intent. By the end of the powerplay, Delhi had raced to 73/2, with KL Rahul (28) and Nair (31) capitalizing on the fielding restrictions. However, Prasidh Krishna turned the tide with a pinpoint yorker to trap Rahul LBW, and soon after, Nair fell to a catch at deep third man off Krishna’s bowling.
In the middle overs, Axar Patel (39) and Tristan Stubbs (31) steadied the ship, pushing Delhi past 150. At 146/3 after 14 overs, a 220+ total seemed within reach. But Prasidh Krishna struck again, removing Axar and Vipraj Nigam in quick succession, derailing Delhi’s momentum. A late cameo from Ashutosh Sharma (37 off 19 balls) added some fireworks, but Prasidh’s 4/41 and Rashid Khan’s economical spell restricted Delhi to 203/8.
Fun Fact: Prasidh Krishna’s 4-wicket haul was his second in IPL history, cementing his spot in the race for the Purple Cap. This was also the first time Delhi lost an IPL match after posting a 200+ total.
Gujarat’s Chase: Early Wobble, Buttler’s Brilliance
Chasing 204, Gujarat Titans got off to a shaky start. Captain Shubman Gill (7) was run out in the second over after a direct hit from Karun Nair, handing Delhi an early breakthrough. But Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan quickly seized control. The duo powered Gujarat to 67/1 in the powerplay, with Sudharsan scoring a brisk 36 before falling to Kuldeep Yadav in the 8th over.
Buttler, however, was in a league of his own. Fresh off wicketkeeping duties in the scorching heat, he battled cramps but played with remarkable composure. Partnering with Sherfane Rutherford (43), Buttler forged a match-defining 119-run stand for the third wicket, the highest third-wicket partnership for Gujarat in IPL history, surpassing the previous record of 90 by Washington Sundar and Gill. Buttler’s 97* off 54 balls, laced with 11 fours and 4 sixes, was a masterclass in controlled aggression.
The Final Over Drama
The match reached a fever pitch in the final over, with Gujarat needing 10 runs off 6 balls. Delhi entrusted the ball to Mitchell Starc, who had defended 9 runs in a previous match. But Rahul Tewatia had other plans. He smashed Starc’s first ball, a full toss, for a towering six over deep midwicket. The next delivery, a yorker gone wrong, was edged by Tewatia to the fine临界点，Gujarat completed their chase with 4 balls to spare, finishing at 204/3. The victory was sealed with a boundary off Starc’s wayward delivery, sparking wild celebrations in the Gujarat dugout.
Fun Fact: This was Gujarat’s first successful chase of a 200+ target in IPL history. Buttler’s 97* also fell agonizingly short of his 8th IPL century, which would’ve tied the record for most IPL hundreds.
Scoreboard
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
| Delhi Capitals | 203/8 | 20 | Lost by 7 wickets |
| Gujarat Titans | 204/3 | 19.2 | Won |
Delhi Capitals Batting
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Abhishek Porel | 22 | 14 | 3 | 1 |
| KL Rahul | 28 | 16 | 4 | 0 |
| Karun Nair | 31 | 19 | 3 | 1 |
| Axar Patel (c) | 39 | 28 | 4 | 1 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 31 | 22 | 2 | 1 |
| Ashutosh Sharma | 37 | 19 | 3 | 2 |
Gujarat Titans Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 45 | 1 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 4 | 41 | 4 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 28 | 1 |
Gujarat Titans Batting
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Shubman Gill (c) | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Jos Buttler | 97* | 54 | 11 | 4 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 36 | 22 | 5 | 1 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | 43 | 34 | 4 | 1 |
| Rahul Tewatia | 10* | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Delhi Capitals Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Mitchell Starc | 3.2 | 38 | 0 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4 | 42 | 1 |
Player of the Match: Jos Buttler (97* off 54 balls)
Match Heroes and Key Performances
- Jos Buttler: His unbeaten 97 was the backbone of Gujarat’s chase, earning him the Player of the Match award.
- Prasidh Krishna: His 4/41, including two wickets in two balls, swung the momentum in Gujarat’s favor.
- Sherfane Rutherford: A vital 43 off 34 balls supported Buttler in a record-breaking partnership.
- Sai Sudharsan: His quick 36 kept Gujarat ahead of the required rate and solidified his Orange Cap lead.
Impact on Points Table
The win propelled Gujarat Titans to the top of the points table with 5 wins in 7 matches, boosting their net run rate. Delhi Capitals slipped to second but remain strong contenders with 5 wins. Both teams are firmly in the playoff race, but Gujarat’s statement victory gives them a psychological edge.
Fascinating Facts and Records
- Buttler vs. Starc: Buttler has dominated Starc, scoring at a strike rate of 177.41 across 7 IPL innings, dismissed just once.
- Delhi’s Rare Loss: This marked the first time Delhi lost an IPL match after scoring 200+ runs.
- Rashid’s Economy: Rashid Khan bowled one of his tightest spells of the season, choking Delhi’s middle order.
Final Thoughts
This clash was a quintessential IPL thriller, blending Jos Buttler’s batting heroics, Prasidh Krishna’s bowling masterclass, and a nail-biting finish. Gujarat Titans not only outplayed a formidable Delhi side but also proved they’re serious title contenders in IPL 2025. For Delhi, the loss is a wake-up call to sharpen their death bowling, especially from big names like Mitchell Starc. Fans were treated to a rollercoaster of emotions, and this match will linger in their memories. Up next, Gujarat faces Kolkata Knight Riders on April 21, while Delhi takes on Lucknow Super Giants on April 22. The IPL drama is only heating up!