Jaipur, India — In a high-stakes IPL 2025 match on April 28, Gujarat Titans‘ Jos Buttler shone brightly against his former team, Rajasthan Royals. The Titans raced to 158/1 in just 16 overs, with Shubman Gill nearing a stunning century and Buttler hitting multiple boundaries.
Rajasthan Royals faced a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive, having suffered a challenging season with only two wins in nine matches. Stand-in captain Riyan Parag won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on the Titans’ top-order woes.
Gujarat’s innings started strong with Gill and Sai Sudharsan forming a 93-run opening partnership. Gill, who has surprised many with his form this season, crossed the fifty-run mark and looked set for a big score. “I am just trying to build on each innings and help the team win,” he commented during a break.
Buttler, who was with RR for several seasons, expressed mixed feelings about playing against his old team. “It was strange at first, but I am focused on contributing to the team’s success. The setup here is fantastic,” he said before the match.
The Rajasthan bowlers struggled to keep the Titans in check. Wanindu Hasaranga, the leading spinner for RR, had a tough time as he conceded 24 runs in one over alone when Buttler exploded with sixes. “We need to execute our plans better; otherwise, we will keep finding it hard to win,” Parag noted in frustration.
Despite a promising start in the powerplay, RR’s bowling attack lacked the bite seen in previous seasons. The team’s inability to secure wickets early allowed the Titans to comfortably build their innings. Shahrukh Khan and Washington Sundar provided valuable support but couldn’t overshadow the dominant performance by Gill and Buttler.
Rajasthan’s batting lineup, severely criticized for its inconsistency, needed a significant contribution to chase down GT’s impending total. Fans expressed mixed emotions as RR’s struggle to convert good starts into match wins became evident again.
Looking ahead, RR will need to regroup quickly, as their next few games will decide their fate in the tournament. A loss against GT could lead to elimination, and fans will be hoping for a resurgence as they face stronger opposition in the coming matches.
