Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India]: A stunning performance from Jos Buttler, who shared a match-winning century partnership with Sherfane Rutherford, helped Gujarat Titans (GT) defeat Delhi Capitals (DC) by seven wickets in a thrilling, high-scoring clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
With their fifth win in seven matches, GT moved to the top of the points table, while DC suffered their second loss and slipped to second place.
Chase Masterclass from Buttler and Rutherford
Chasing a target of 204, GT faced an early setback when Shubman Gill was run out by Karun Nair for just 7 runs in 5 balls, leaving the Titans at 14/1 in the second over. However, Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan quickly steadied the ship, with Buttler showing his class against the spinners, especially Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam. Sudharsan, on the other hand, took on the pace attack, striking two fours off Starc.
GT reached 50 runs in just 4.3 overs, with Buttler smashing a huge six over long-on. By the end of the powerplay, GT were at 67/1, with Sudharsan on 34* and Buttler on 25*.
In the eighth over, Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Sudharsan for 36 off 21 balls, leaving GT at 74/2. Despite the setback, Buttler continued his assault, bringing up his third half-century of the season in 32 balls. Rutherford joined in, smashing Mohit Sharma for two massive sixes in the 13th over. The duo guided GT to 128/2 in 13 overs.
Buttler then took charge, hitting Mitchell Starc for five consecutive boundaries, helping GT cross the 150-run mark in just 14.3 overs. By the end of the 15th over, GT were 158/2, with Buttler on 77* and Rutherford on 31*.
After Rutherford’s departure for 43 (34 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes), GT were 193/3 in 18.5 overs, leaving them 10 runs to get off the final over. Rahul Tewatia finished off the chase with a six and a four off Starc, as Buttler was left stranded on 97* from 54 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes.
DC’s Challenging Innings
Earlier, Delhi Capitals posted 203/8 in their 20 overs, thanks to a fast start from Abhishek Porel and Karun Nair. Porel smashed 18 runs off 9 balls before falling to Arshad Khan. KL Rahul joined Nair, but Prasidh Krishna removed him for 28 off 14 balls. DC were 58/2 after 4.4 overs.
Despite losing early wickets, Axar Patel (39) and Tristan Stubbs (31) added valuable runs, with both taking on GT’s veteran spinner Rashid Khan, smashing him for two sixes in an over. DC were 105/3 after 10 overs, and the partnership pushed DC to 146/4 in 14.2 overs.
Ashutosh Sharma (37 off 19 balls) kept the pressure on with some powerful hitting towards the end, but the GT bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Prasidh Krishna (4/41) was the standout bowler for GT, supported by Siraj, Arshad Khan, Sai Kishore, and Ishant Sharma, who each took a wicket.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals (DC): 203/8 (Axar Patel 39, Ashutosh Sharma 37; Prasidh Krishna 4/41)
Gujarat Titans (GT): 204/3 in 19.3 overs (Jos Buttler 97*, Sherfane Rutherford 43; Kuldeep Yadav 1/30)