A severely hampered Jos Buttler played a breathtaking knock of 97* off just 54 deliveries, guiding Gujarat Titans to their first-ever successful chase of a 200-plus target in IPL history. Coincidentally, this also marked the first time in 14 attempts that Delhi Capitals failed to defend a total exceeding 200.

The momentum of the match shifted decisively in the middle overs, where Jos Buttler turned the heat on. While Gujarat Titans had already benefited from a solid start by Sai Sudharsan, it was Buttler’s acceleration after the PowerPlay that made the real difference.

A glance at the numbers tells the story—GT scored 91/1 at a run rate of 10.12 with 9 fours and 4 sixes in the middle overs, comfortably outpacing Delhi Capitals, who managed 77/2 at 8.56 runs per over with just 4 fours and 3 sixes. Buttler’s calculated assault, especially after seeing off Kuldeep Yadav’s initial overs, ensured GT stayed ahead. Sherfane Rutherford also joined the act by taking on Mohit Sharma, but it was Buttler’s brutal takedown of Mitchell Starc in the 15th over that truly swung the contest in GT’s favour.

Early Blows For Capitals But Make Rapid Recovery

Despite losing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel by the third over after a blazing start, Delhi Capitals maintained their momentum thanks to an aggressive cameo from KL Rahul. Walking in with intent, Rahul immediately targeted Mohammed Siraj—dispatching a four over point and a towering six over long-on in the same over.

However, his flourish was short-lived as Prasidh Krishna, his Karnataka teammate, cleverly varied his lengths and nailed a yorker to trap him leg-before. Karun Nair then picked up the mantle, slicing one behind point and launching a clean pick-up shot over the square leg boundary off Arshad Khan to cap off Delhi’s most productive PowerPlay of the season.

Axar, Stubbs Turn the Tide for Delhi

Shubman Gill handed Prasidh Krishna a third consecutive over, and the pacer struck again, removing another Karnataka batter who had looked in sublime touch—Karun Nair. After lofting a shot over cover, Nair misjudged the next delivery and found the fielder at third man. Delhi’s scoring pace dipped through the middle overs, only just crossing the 100-run mark by the 10th.

With five consecutive overs post-PowerPlay yielding no sixes, Axar Patel finally broke the shackles by launching Rashid Khan over long-off in the 12th over. Gujarat Titans then burned both their reviews in quick succession—first for an LBW shout where the ball pitched outside leg, and then for a caught-behind appeal where there was no contact with the bat.

Capitalizing on Rashid’s rare off day, Axar and Tristan Stubbs each cleared the ropes in the leg-spinner’s final over, marking his fourth wicketless outing of the season. The partnership was finally broken by Mohammed Siraj, as Stubbs attempted a risky reverse ramp on a full delivery and only managed to find Prasidh Krishna at short third.

Ashutosh Sharma’s Late Blitz Powers DC Beyond 200

The searing Ahmedabad heat began to take a visible toll on both sides as the match wore on. Gujarat Titans were stretched thin, with Ishant Sharma needing medical attention and leaving the field, while Axar Patel cramped up during a run and struggled to find timing thereafter. Prasidh Krishna also showed signs of discomfort while fielding.

Despite Axar’s limited mobility, he kept rotating the strike until Krishna returned to dismiss him, followed by debutant Vipraj Nigam in the same over—thanks to a sharp diving catch by Jos Buttler behind the stumps. Just when GT looked to pull things back, Ashutosh Sharma struck back, smashing Krishna—now donning the Purple Cap—for two towering sixes to reignite Delhi’s charge towards a 200-plus total.

Ishant, despite fatigue, delivered a tight 19th over that went for just six runs. But with Gujarat penalized for a slow over rate, Shubman Gill had to close the innings using Sai Kishore while operating with only four fielders outside the circle. The left-arm spinner cleverly outfoxed Ashutosh, one of DC’s key death-over hitters, by altering his lines and having him caught at long-on. Kuldeep Yadav added the finishing touch, slapping a boundary to push Delhi past the 200-run mark.

Sudharsan, Buttler Power Titans Past Early Setback

Gujarat Titans got off to a lively start with Gill and Sai Sudharsan finding early momentum, but it was short-lived as a moment of hesitation cost them. A mix-up saw Sudharsan send Gill back from halfway down the pitch, and Karun Nair’s sharp direct hit from midwicket caught the GT skipper short of his crease.

Undeterred by the early blow, Sudharsan and Jos Buttler kept the scoreboard ticking. Sudharsan played with flair, cutting and driving Mitchell Starc through the off-side and welcoming Axar Patel with a clean slog-sweep for six. Axar once again showed faith in young leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam during the PowerPlay, but Buttler didn’t hold back—smoking him for two consecutive sixes.

Sudharsan continued to dominate, adding two more boundaries off Mukesh Kumar in the sixth over, taking his tally of fours to five and ensuring Gujarat Titans ended the PowerPlay comfortably ahead in the chase.

Buttler Blazes Past Starc as Gujarat Regain Control

Kuldeep Yadav once again proved to be Delhi Capitals’ go-to man, striking in his very first over by removing the well-set Sai Sudharsan. Lured by a back-of-a-length delivery, Sudharsan mistimed his shot straight to Tristan Stubbs at deep square leg.

While Jos Buttler kept GT afloat by punishing Vipraj Nigam for an overpitched delivery with a towering straight six, the runs dried up soon after. The five overs following the PowerPlay yielded just 31 runs, as Sherfane Rutherford took time to find his rhythm. His breakthrough moment arrived in the 12th over, when he launched Kuldeep over extra cover for a massive six.

That hit sparked Rutherford into gear, as he followed it up with back-to-back sixes off Mohit Sharma’s short deliveries on the leg side. Buttler, meanwhile, found his groove too—smacking a four in the same over to reach his half-century and stabilise Gujarat after a brief stumble.

Despite struggling with cramps, Buttler turned up the heat in the 15th over, dismantling Mitchell Starc with five consecutive boundaries and swinging the momentum firmly back in Gujarat’s favour.

Tewatia Finishes in Style as GT Clinch a Thriller

Despite Gujarat Titans being in pole position, Kuldeep Yadav kept Delhi in the game with a miserly final over of his spell. With 39 needed off the last 24 balls, Jos Buttler eased the pressure by launching a six off Mukesh Kumar in a 14-run over that shifted the equation in GT’s favour.

Mohit Sharma then leaked 10 runs, but Mukesh followed up with a brilliant penultimate over, conceding just five and ending the 119-run stand by removing Sherfane Rutherford. That left Mitchell Starc with 10 runs to defend in the final over—just one less than what he had to work with in the dramatic win over Rajasthan Royals.

But this time, there was no twist. Rahul Tewatia sealed the deal in just two deliveries, first sending a mighty six over midwicket and then getting a fortunate inside edge for four down to fine leg, wrapping up a memorable chase for Gujarat in emphatic fashion.

What’s Next For Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals?

There’s little time to rest as both teams face quick turnarounds. Gujarat Titans will travel to Kolkata to face the in-form Kolkata Knight Riders on April 21 (Monday), aiming to build on their successful chase. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals will regroup and head to Lucknow, where they take on the Lucknow Super Giants on April 22 (Tuesday), looking to bounce back from a close defeat.

FAQs

Who played a match-winning knock for Gujarat Titans?

Jos Buttler scored an unbeaten 97 off 54 balls, leading Gujarat Titans to a thrilling last-over victory over Delhi Capitals.

What was the key moment in Gujarat Titans’ chase?

Buttler’s stunning five consecutive fours in the 15th over against Mitchell Starc turned the game in Gujarat’s favor.

How did Gujarat Titans handle the pressure in the final overs?

Despite a brief wobble, Buttler and Tewatia ensured Gujarat chased down the 200-plus target, with Tewatia finishing it in two balls.

What was the turning point in the match?

Axar Patel’s failed slog-overs and Ashutosh Sharma’s late hitting helped Delhi Capitals post a 200-plus target, but Gujarat Titans chased it down with Buttler’s brilliance.