In a tournament where momentum plays such an important part, Gujarat Titans made a statement winning that not only reaffirmed their credentials as a title-challenging side but also thoroughly crushed Sunrisers Hyderabad. It was a dominating performance from the trio of Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Prasidh Krishna, that capped off a 38-run victory and flipped the playoff race on its head on May 2, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
This was not just a win, it was a dominating disassembly, featuring three match winners who stepped up when they had to.
Gill’s ability to keep his cool
Captain Shubman Gill has been described countless times as a combination of class and intent and against SRH’s premium bowling lineup, he played a knock that was once again a mixture of composure and class. When Gill came in, with the required run rate over him and SRH fielding a very good bowling unit, he took his time to get himself in before he shifted back into high-gear with his trademark timing and placement.
His 76 off 38 balls was a perfect combination of flair and fire. Whether he was playing class cover drives or hitting lofted straight sixes, he did it all like it was simple. Most notably, he supplied the cool head the innings needed and gave his batting partners the freedom to play a little more freely.
Gill’s ability to shift gears and pace his innings based on the match context has been a major factor to GT’s success this season. His controlled aggression in their middle overs helped GT to maintain an excellent run rate in matches without the risk of total collapse during their innings.
Buttler Unleashes the Beast
While Gill built the platform, Jos Buttler lit the fireworks. The Englishman, renowned for his brutal batting and unparalleled ability to accelerate at will, really found his rhythm at the right time. Coming off a lean patch, Buttler was clearly determined to make his mark – and he did with a blistering 64 off 37 balls.
Buttler’s knock was played with intent. He looked like he had zero respect for the pace attack that SRH sent at him, dispatching a barrage of boundaries nearly every over. His use of the inside-out shot against the spinners and powerful flicks over square leg reminded everyone yet again of why he remains one of the most dangerous T20 batsmen on the planet.
This partnership between Gill and Buttler set up a massive total. Their second wicket partnership of 109 early on smashed SRH’s backs and relieved the pressure for the middle and lower order.
Sai Sudharsan Adds the Finishing Touch
Although Gill and Buttler rightly took the majority of the headlines two time supersub Sai Sudharsan played the ideal finishing role with his quick-fire 48 off 23 balls. His free spirit approach throughout the final overs ensured that GT crossed the monumental 220-run barrier with 224/6 proving far too steep of a hill for the Sunrisers.
The Resounding Comeback of Prasidh Krishna
If the batting provided the stage, Prasidh Krishna’s bowling put down the curtain firmly on SRH’s aspirations. Making a statement in only his second game coming back from injury, Krishna was fiery, focused and ferocious.
As the opening bowler, Krishna claimed the scalp of the dangerous Travis Head in his very first over, and later took out Aiden Markram, SRH’s spine, early in the innings. With 2 for 19 in four overs, Krishna didn’t just bowl well – he owned the pressure moments.
Consistently hitting the speeds of 145 km/h, Krishna extracted bounce and varied his pace and length to keep the batters uncertain. His control was also evident as he rarely gave easy runs and bowled with stumps in play at all times.
His performance also delivered him the Player of the Match award, and reminded everyone as to why he is regarded as ‘one of the best fast bowlers for India’.
SRH Left With Minimal Playoff Hopes
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, this defeat is more than just another tick to the “L” column. With their Net Run Rate dented, and only a limited number of matches left, SRH find themselves hanging by a thread for a playoff berth.
Despite a commendable 74 from Abhishek Sharma, the rest of the batting line-up didn’t hold up a serious challenge. Without a good start and a thin middle order, SRH could only manage to mount a total of 186/6 – not near the target, and with too few runs to worry GT attacking batting line up.
What will frustrate their fans more than anything else is the dis-unification. In one game your batting might be the reason for the destruction, in the next it will the bowling or fielding – against a team like GT, you are ruthlessly punished and removed from in contention.
Titans Roaring Back Into Contention
This was a must-win match for Gujarat Titans, and they emphatically delivered. The victory puts them second on the points table and improves their Net Run Rate significantly.
The trio of Gill, Buttler, and Krishna didn’t just win a game – they set a marker. In a season based on fine margins, with individual brilliance often determining the game, GT look to have all bases covered.
With the playoffs fast approaching, this performance is going to boost their confidence tenfold. And if the best performance from this trio is still to come? Gujarat Titans may just be peaking at the right time.
Final Thought
In a night of high stakes and high performances, Shubman Gill’s authority, Buttler’s brutality and Krishna’s precision proved too much for SRH to handle. Having placed there playoff hopes in serious jeopardy, SRH will need to wish for more than just luck – they will need magic.