Form and firepower missing as Gujarat Titans stumble into IPL 2025 playoffs

Updated On: 25 May, 2025 10:58 PM IST | Srijanee Majumdar

Despite being the first team to secure a spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs, Gujarat Titans find themselves grappling with a series of late-season concerns that could undermine their championship aspirations. Having won nine of their 13 matches, GT initially looked set for a top-two finish, but consecutive losses have cast a shadow over their momentum and raised serious questions about their readiness for the high-stakes knockout phase, beginning May 29 (Photos: IPL/BCCI)

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their back-to-back defeats in run chases against Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings exposed several vulnerabilities in their lineup. Although their dynamic opening pair, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, has consistently delivered, scoring a combined total of over 900 runs across 14 games, the team’s batting strength sharply declines beyond the top order</span></p>

2/6

Their back-to-back defeats in run chases against Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings exposed several vulnerabilities in their lineup. Although their dynamic opening pair, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, has consistently delivered, scoring a combined total of over 900 runs across 14 games, the team’s batting strength sharply declines beyond the top order

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A significant blow for the Titans is the unavailability of Jos Buttler, who was expected to anchor the innings at number three. With national commitments ruling him out of the playoffs, GT’s fragile middle order becomes even more concerning. The likes of Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford have struggled to stabilise chases under pressure, as seen in the defeat to LSG. In another instance, seasoned campaigners Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan failed to make an impact when the situation demanded</span></p>

3/6

A significant blow for the Titans is the unavailability of Jos Buttler, who was expected to anchor the innings at number three. With national commitments ruling him out of the playoffs, GT’s fragile middle order becomes even more concerning. The likes of Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford have struggled to stabilise chases under pressure, as seen in the defeat to LSG. In another instance, seasoned campaigners Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan failed to make an impact when the situation demanded

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vice-captain Rashid Khan’s dip in form has been one of the most disappointing aspects of GT’s campaign. Typically one of their most dependable all-rounders, Rashid has managed just 40 runs in 7 innings and has picked up only 9 wickets in 14 matches, well below the standards he has set in previous seasons</span></p>

4/6

Vice-captain Rashid Khan’s dip in form has been one of the most disappointing aspects of GT’s campaign. Typically one of their most dependable all-rounders, Rashid has managed just 40 runs in 7 innings and has picked up only 9 wickets in 14 matches, well below the standards he has set in previous seasons

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">GT’s pace attack, once considered among the most potent at the start of the tournament, has also witnessed a significant downturn. Mohammed Siraj, who began strongly, has gone wicketless in his last three matches while conceding runs at an expensive rate</span></p>

5/6

GT’s pace attack, once considered among the most potent at the start of the tournament, has also witnessed a significant downturn. Mohammed Siraj, who began strongly, has gone wicketless in his last three matches while conceding runs at an expensive rate

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kagiso Rabada’s absence for the playoffs due to South Africa’s Test commitments further compounds the issue. Gerald Coetzee has hardly featured, managing just two wickets in three appearances. In contrast, Prasidh Krishna has remained the lone bright spot in the pace department, bagging 23 wickets in 14 outings</span></p>

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Kagiso Rabada’s absence for the playoffs due to South Africa’s Test commitments further compounds the issue. Gerald Coetzee has hardly featured, managing just two wickets in three appearances. In contrast, Prasidh Krishna has remained the lone bright spot in the pace department, bagging 23 wickets in 14 outings

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Bliss by the beach

A photographer holds up the lights during a photo session by the Madh Island seashore. PIC/NIMESH DAVE

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Form and firepower missing as Gujarat Titans stumble into IPL 2025 playoffs

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Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach