22 dot balls, top-order sync and a stunning catch: How GT all but killed SRH’s playoff hopes

Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans (GT) are all but one win away from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs. They already have 14 points from 10 matches with four more remaining. The latest win, a 38-run victory came against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, reinforcing their title credentials while the top-order shone again.

Orange cap leader Sai Sudharsan crossed the 500-run mark as he smashed 48 off just 23 balls, Gill joined the party with 76 in 38 balls and No.3 Jos Buttler blasted 64 off just 37. Together, the top three batters made 188 runs in just 98 balls out of the final total of 224/6.

GT played just 22 balls in their innings as their heavy-metal batting blew away Sunrisers, who could only muster 186/6 with Abhishek Sharma (74) being the only batter to score a fifty.

22 dot and top-order sync help GT cross 200 again

GT skipper Gill spoke about their fiery batting after the match. While there was no strategy to play as many dot balls as possible, he credited the understanding between Sudharsan, Buttler, and himself as the reason behind the Titans’ aggressive approach, where the plan is always to keep the runs coming.

“Definitely didn’t plan that (on playing just 22 dot balls in 20 overs),” Shubman Gill said. “The only conversation was let’s try to play the game we have been playing so far. The black soil pitch is not easy to hit sixes but the way me, Sai and Jos play, I think we have the understanding on how to keep the scoreboard ticking. I don’t think we have ever had that conversation where one of us has to be there. We are all eager and hungry for runs and do what is best for the team.”

Another aspect that worked very well for GT was Prasidh Krishna’s bowling. The pacer has been in good form and finished with excellent figures of 2/19 in 4 overs, winning the Player of the Match award.

Rashid takes stunning catch to dismiss Head

Fielding was another aspect that helped GT finish off the game early. Aussie opener Travis Head appeared to be in a good mood despite the tall chase. However, Rashid Khan took a stupendous catch in the deep to send Head back for just 20 as GT tightened their grip on the match.

“The fielding was one thing we talk about before every game, we have been average so far but happy with the way we fielded today,” Gill added. Everyone is chipping in, it is always nice to have options when you are defending on these grounds."

Head’s dismissal led to a streak of wickets for GT as Ishan Kishan (13), Heinrich Klaasen (23), Aniket Verma (3), and Kamindu Mendis (0) failed to light up the stage. Nitish Reddy (21 not out) and Pat Cummins (19) played some fiery shots at the end, but it was too late, too little.

Besides Krishna, Mohammed Siraj also took two wickets, however, he had an expensive spell, giving away 33 runs in four overs. Ishant Sharma took one wicket and was forced to limp off the ground after failing to finish his final over.

Gerald Coetzee got one wicket as well.