SRH playoff dream fades as GT dominate in all departments in 38-run win

Gujarat Titans delivered a resounding performance to outplay Sunrisers Hyderabad by 38 runs in Match 51 of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. With this dominant win, GT not only bolstered their playoff hopes but also officially knocked the Pat Cummins-led SRH out of contention.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, SRH hoped to make early inroads, but their strategy misfired spectacularly. GT openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan came out all guns blazing, tearing into the bowling attack during the powerplay. The duo helped GT reach 50 inside just four overs, with Gill setting the tone by sending a Pat Cummins short delivery sailing over deep square leg.

Sudarshan played an explosive knock of 48 off 23 balls, laced with nine boundaries, before being dismissed in the seventh over by leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari. His dismissal did little to halt the Titans’ charge, as Jos Buttler strode in and kept the scoreboard ticking aggressively.

Gill, in sublime touch, brought up his half-century with effortless grace, peppering the off-side with elegant drives and calculated aggression. He was eventually run out for a blistering 76 off just 38 deliveries, including 10 fours and 2 sixes, during the 13th over.

Buttler took over the mantle and continued the onslaught. He hammered a six to bring up GT’s 200 and reached his own fifty in style, finishing with 64 off 37 balls. Washington Sundar’s quick cameo in the final overs ensured GT ended with a formidable 224/6.

Among the SRH bowlers, Jaydev Unadkat stood out with figures of 3/35 in four overs. Cummins and Ansari chipped in with a wicket each, but the bowlers were largely ineffective on the flat Ahmedabad surface.

Chasing a steep target, SRH lost key wickets at crucial junctures despite a valiant 41-ball 74 from Abhishek Sharma. Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek fell in quick succession, denting SRH’s chase. With the required run rate surging past 20 in the death overs, the pressure proved too much.

Nitish Reddy and Cummins tried to salvage the chase, but SRH ultimately fell short, finishing on 186/6 in their 20 overs. Gujarat’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding sealed the win, ending SRH’s playoff hopes and underlining GT’s title ambitions.

This article first appeared on Mid Day