The Indian Premier League 2025 continues to deliver high-octane cricket, and the latest clash between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru added another thrilling chapter to this year’s tournament. Gujarat Titans dominated the match from start to finish and defeated RCB by eight wickets. Mohammed Siraj led a fierce bowling attack, while Jos Buttler finished the job with an explosive unbeaten half-century. This commanding win not only lifted Gujarat’s confidence but also exposed several issues in Bengaluru’s setup.
Siraj Fires Early with the Ball
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision immediately paid off when Mohammed Siraj launched an early assault on Bengaluru’s top order. Siraj looked sharp from the start. He extracted movement from the pitch and forced the batters into mistakes. In his very first over, he dismissed the dangerous Faf du Plessis, who tried to drive through the covers but edged the ball straight to Rahul Tewatia at slip.
Siraj struck again in his next over. This time he trapped Rajat Patidar in front of the stumps with a searing inswinger. The umpire raised the finger without hesitation, and the Titans celebrated a dream start. Bengaluru found no time to recover. Siraj returned in the final phase of the innings and picked up another key wicket, ending with brilliant figures of 3 for 19 in his four overs. His accuracy and aggression pinned down RCB early and never let them find momentum.
Bengaluru’s Batting Woes Continue
Bengaluru’s batting unit once again failed to deliver under pressure. After Siraj’s early breakthroughs, Gujarat’s spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad applied the squeeze. They bowled in tandem, stuck to tight lines, and dried up scoring opportunities. Virat Kohli tried to anchor the innings and played cautiously for his 36 off 32 balls. But the runs never flowed. The middle order collapsed around him as the Titans’ bowlers choked RCB’s scoring.
Glenn Maxwell, brought back into the side after an injury, showed glimpses of form with a quickfire 22, but his stay ended when Noor Ahmad bowled a quicker one that crashed into the stumps. Bengaluru crawled to 136 for 8 in 20 overs—a score far below par on a batting-friendly surface.
Jos Buttler Steers Gujarat’s Chase
Gujarat Titans approached the chase with calmness and precision. They knew the target wasn’t daunting. Wriddhiman Saha and Jos Buttler walked in with intent. Saha fell early to a sharp in-swinger from Mohammed Siraj, but Buttler held firm. The Englishman looked in complete control. He punished anything short or wide. His footwork looked precise, and his strokeplay looked fluent.
Buttler targeted RCB’s spinners. He smashed Karn Sharma for two sixes in a single over and dismantled Mayank Dagar with effortless timing. He built a solid partnership with Shubman Gill, rotating strike and finding gaps regularly. Gill played the supporting role well, contributing 27 before holing out to long-on.
Buttler never looked under pressure. He chased down the total with 23 balls to spare and remained unbeaten on 73 off 39 balls. His innings included six boundaries and five maximums, showing his dominance across the ground. The Titans celebrated a convincing win, and Buttler walked away with the Player of the Match award.
Captain’s Take: Shubman Gill and Faf du Plessis Reflect
Shubman Gill praised his bowlers for setting up the match. “Siraj bowled like a champion today. He gave us the breakthrough we needed and maintained pressure in every spell. We backed our decision to bowl first because we knew the pitch would offer help early. The rest of the bowlers did their job and Buttler finished it in style.”
On the other hand, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis expressed disappointment. “We didn’t apply ourselves with the bat. Losing early wickets hurt us and we couldn’t build any momentum. 136 never looked enough. Credit to Gujarat, they outplayed us in every department.”
Siraj’s Redemption Arc
Mohammed Siraj delivered this performance with something to prove. RCB released him ahead of the 2025 season after a long seven-year stint with the franchise. The auction snub hurt him, but Gujarat snapped him up and gave him a new platform. Siraj didn’t forget. He roared with emotion after every wicket and even pointed toward the RCB dugout after removing Patidar. His performance sent a message not just to his former team but to the entire league—Siraj remains a force to reckon with.
After the match, Siraj said, “Yes, it felt a bit emotional. I played with RCB for so long. But once I wore the Gujarat jersey, I had to stay professional. I focused on my game and just wanted to deliver. Glad it worked out.”
Titans on the Rise
This win helped Gujarat climb the points table. Their net run rate received a significant boost. The team appears balanced and confident. Siraj’s addition has strengthened their pace unit, while Buttler’s consistent form gives them an edge at the top. Shubman Gill continues to grow as a leader. He reads the game well and rotates his bowlers smartly.
Rashid Khan remains their trump card. Even when he doesn’t pick wickets, he controls the flow of runs. Noor Ahmad complements him with his variations. The duo forms one of the most lethal spin pairs in the league.
RCB Faces Tough Questions
RCB, on the other hand, needs to regroup. Their middle order looks brittle. Virat Kohli continues to fight alone without support. The bowling lacks bite except for Siraj. The team’s decision to let go of key players like Siraj and Dinesh Karthik now seems questionable. They need a spark—maybe from Maxwell or Cameron Green—to turn things around.
Faf du Plessis must rally the troops quickly. Another loss could push them closer to elimination territory. With teams like Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals performing consistently, the margin for error shrinks every week.
Final Word
The Gujarat Titans sent a strong message with this win. They didn’t just beat RCB—they dismantled them with ruthless precision. Siraj scripted his revenge story with fire in his deliveries, and Buttler wrote the finishing lines with his bat. If the Titans maintain this form, they will remain firm contenders for the IPL 2025 title.
For RCB, time ticks fast. They need to fix their flaws, support their stars, and rediscover the fearless brand of cricket that once made them a fan favorite. If they don’t, the playoff dream might slip out of their grasp sooner than expected.
