When Jos Buttler cracked a boundary off the penultimate ball of the 19th over, the roar from the crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium wasn’t just for the win—it was for the near-miss of history. The Gujarat Titans crushed the Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in Match 35 of the Indian Premier League 2025Ahmedabad, climbing to the top of the points table with a clinical chase of 204. Buttler, unbeaten on 97 from 59 balls, came within one run of tying the record for most IPL centuries. He didn’t need it. His team already had the trophy in sight.
The Chase That Broke Delhi’s Back
Delhi Capitals, chasing momentum after a shaky start, posted 203/8 in their 20 overs. But the total felt flat from the moment KL Rahul’s elegant 42 ended at 73/2. Karun Nair’s 31 off 18 balls offered brief hope, and Abishek Porel’s blistering 18 off just 9 balls looked like a spark—until Arshad Khan’s sharp yorker ended it. Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma added late fireworks, but the damage was done. Commentary from NDTV Sports was blunt: “DC were 15–20 runs short of a competitive total.”
Enter Buttler. The English opener, who’d been in quiet form for the first half of the season, unleashed his full arsenal. He carved boundaries through the off-side, launched over mid-wicket, and even took a single off the last ball of the 18th over to keep the strike. Shrefane Rutherford, the West Indian middle-order anchor, played the perfect foil—unflappable, calculating, scoring 42 off 38. Together, they turned a chase that looked tense into a procession.
Delhi’s Fragile Foundation
Delhi’s innings was a study in missed opportunities. KL Rahul, their captain, looked in sublime touch—his timing described as “imperious” by live commentators—but he never got the support. Porel’s explosive start fizzled out too soon. And when Nair fell to Prasidh Krishna’s sharp in-swinger, the middle order collapsed under pressure. Axar Patel, usually the glue, managed just 19 off 24. The death overs, usually Delhi’s strength, yielded only 48 runs in the final four overs.
“They didn’t build,” said a former Delhi captain on Star Sports. “They relied on big shots from the top, and when those didn’t land, there was no Plan B. That’s not how you win in the playoffs.”
Buttler’s Near-Miss and the Bigger Picture
Buttler’s 97* was his seventh IPL fifty in 2025—and his eighth if you count the century he didn’t get. He now holds the record for most fifties in a single IPL season by a foreign player. But the real story? His leadership. At 34, he’s not just batting—he’s mentoring young players like Rutherford and Tewatia. And when Rahul Tewatia smashed two boundaries in the final over to seal the win, it wasn’t just about the runs. It was about trust. Trust in the system. Trust in the captain.
Before this match, Delhi had won four of the six head-to-head encounters against Gujarat since 2022. But this was different. GT had lost five of their last seven games. Now? They’re on a five-game winning streak. The win pushed their net run rate to +0.98, the best in the league.
Why This Matters Beyond the Points Table
The playoff race in IPL 2025 is tightening. With only six matches left, every game is a potential knockout. Delhi, sitting at fifth with a 50% win rate, now need to win four of their last five just to stay in contention. Gujarat, meanwhile, have a 62.5% win rate and a favorable schedule. They face two bottom-half teams and only one top-four side before the playoffs.
“This win isn’t just about points,” said a BCCI insider. “It’s about belief. GT have found their rhythm. Delhi are still searching.”
What’s Next?
Gujarat Titans next face the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 20, a match that could decide home-field advantage in the playoffs. Delhi Capitals host the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 18—a must-win if they want to avoid a do-or-die qualifier.
For Buttler? The record for most IPL centuries—eight—still belongs to Chris Gayle. But with the playoffs looming and his form peaking, don’t be surprised if he finishes the season with nine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close was Jos Buttler to breaking the IPL century record?
Jos Buttler finished on 97 not out, just three runs short of his eighth IPL century. Only Chris Gayle has reached eight IPL centuries, and Buttler now has seven. He needed 12 runs off the final 12 balls to tie the record, but with his team already winning, the focus shifted to preserving wickets. His 97 remains the highest score by a foreign batsman in IPL 2025.
Why did Delhi Capitals fall short despite a 200+ total?
Delhi’s 203/8 looked strong on paper, but their top order failed to set a solid foundation. KL Rahul and Abishek Porel both got starts but didn’t convert. The middle order, especially Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma, couldn’t accelerate enough. With a net run rate of +0.72, GT’s chase was always feasible—and their openers made it look easy. Experts say DC needed at least 215 to truly pressure GT’s batting depth.
What impact does this win have on Gujarat Titans’ playoff chances?
The win lifted Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL 2025 table with 16 points from 12 matches, giving them a 1.5-point buffer over second-place Chennai Super Kings. With a superior net run rate and momentum on their side, GT now control their playoff destiny. Even if they lose their next two games, they’re likely to finish in the top two—making them one of the favorites to lift the trophy.
Who were the key bowlers for Gujarat Titans in this match?
Arshad Khan (2/31) and Prasidh Krishna (2/38) were instrumental in breaking Delhi’s momentum. Arshad dismissed Porel and Nair with pinpoint yorkers, while Krishna’s late swing accounted for Karun Nair and the dangerous Rovman Powell. Mohammed Siraj, though expensive (1/41), held the powerplay tightly, restricting Delhi to 47/1 in the first six overs—a critical factor in the overall outcome.
How does this result change Delhi Capitals’ playoff outlook?
Delhi Capitals now need to win at least four of their remaining five matches to guarantee a top-four finish. With a net run rate of +0.41, they’re already behind four teams. A loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 18 would likely knock them out of direct playoff contention, forcing them into a qualifier. Their batting depth remains a concern, and their spin options are over-reliant on Axar Patel.
Is this Gujarat Titans’ best performance of IPL 2025?
By most metrics, yes. This was their first win by seven wickets in IPL 2025, their highest successful chase, and the first time all three openers (Buttler, Rutherford, and Tewatia) contributed over 40 runs in a single match. Their bowling, which had been inconsistent, held Delhi to 203 on a pitch that favored batting. This performance ticks every box: timing, execution, and mental toughness.
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