Hey cricket fans, what a match we witnessed last night! The Gujarat Titans (GT) took on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the fifth game of IPL 2025 on March 25 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and it was an absolute rollercoaster. A high-scoring thriller that went down to the wire, with PBKS clinching an 11-run victory after posting a massive 243/5. GT fought hard but fell just short at 232/5. Let’s break it all down with the juicy details – pitch, toss, batting, bowling, and those game-changing moments!
Match Basics
- Date: March 25, 2025
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Toss: GT won and opted to bowl first
- Result: PBKS beat GT by 11 runs
- Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer (97* off 42 balls)
The Pitch and Conditions
The Narendra Modi Stadium dished out a batting paradise yet again. Flat track, true bounce, and short boundaries – it was a dream for the batters and a nightmare for the bowlers. The ball came onto the bat nicely, especially in the powerplay, and even though spinners got some grip later, it wasn’t enough to stop the run flow. The weather was perfect – clear skies, 29°C, no dew to mess with the bowlers in the second innings. A chase-friendly ground, but 244 was always going to test GT’s mettle.
First Innings: PBKS Unleash the Beast
GT skipper Shubman Gill called it right at the toss and chose to bowl, probably hoping to restrict PBKS and chase under lights. But friends, PBKS had other plans! They came out swinging and didn’t stop till the last ball.
- Openers Set the Tone: Prabhsimran Singh (18 off 12) and debutant Priyansh Arya (47 off 23) gave PBKS a fiery start. Arya, the 23-year-old left-hander bought for ₹3.8 crore, smashed 6 fours and 2 sixes, showing why PBKS backed him at the auction. Kagiso Rabada got Prabhsimran early, but Arya kept the pressure on.
- Shreyas Iyer’s Masterclass: The new PBKS captain walked in at No. 3 and played a blinder – 97* off 42 balls! He was three runs short of a well-deserved ton, but his knock had everything – elegant drives, lofted cover shots, and brutal sixes. He paced it perfectly, accelerating after a steady start.
- Shashank’s Late Surge: Shashank Singh (44 off 16) joined the party in the death overs, hammering 4 fours and 3 sixes. His cameo turned a good total into a monstrous one. Mohammed Siraj’s final over went for 22, with Shashank smashing boundaries at will.
- Total: PBKS finished at 243/5 in 20 overs. GT’s bowlers – Rabada (1/45), Rashid Khan (1/38), and Siraj (0/55) – took a beating, though Rashid was economical in patches.
Second Innings: GT’s Valiant Chase Falls Short
Chasing 244 was never going to be easy, but GT had the firepower with Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Sai Sudharsan. They gave it a real go, keeping the fans on edge till the end.
- Powerplay Blitz: Gill (33 off 14) and Sai Sudharsan started like a house on fire, racing to 61/1 in 6 overs. Gill smashed 5 fours and a six before Glenn Maxwell got him with a sharp catch off his own bowling. Vintage Gill at his home ground!
- Sai-Buttler Partnership: Sai Sudharsan (74 off 41) and Jos Buttler (54 off 33) then took charge. Sai was all class – flicking, driving, and lofting with ease – while Buttler, in his first GT innings, played the anchor before cutting loose. Their 84-run stand kept GT in the hunt, with Sai reaching his fifty in style.
- Rutherford’s Impact: After Arshdeep Singh broke the partnership by dismissing Sai, Impact Sub Sherfane Rutherford (46 off 28) came in and smashed a 97-meter six off Marcus Stoinis. GT needed 57 off the last 3 overs, and it looked possible with Buttler still there.
- The Turning Point: Vijaykumar Vyshak’s 17th over changed the game. He conceded just 7 runs, bowling tight lines and keeping Rutherford quiet. Then, Arshdeep struck in the 18th, getting Buttler caught at long-on right after his fifty. The required rate shot up to 19 an over.
- Final Over Drama: With 27 needed off the last over, Arshdeep held his nerve. Rutherford hit a six and a four but chopped on for 46, and Rahul Tewatia was run out in a freak dismissal off Arshdeep’s hand. GT finished at 232/5 – so close, yet so far!
Key Performers
- PBKS: Shreyas Iyer (97*), Priyansh Arya (47), Shashank Singh (44), Arshdeep Singh (2/42)
- GT: Sai Sudharsan (74), Jos Buttler (54), Sherfane Rutherford (46)
What Worked, What Didn’t
- PBKS: Their batting clicked big time – Iyer’s leadership with the bat, Arya’s fearless debut, and Shashank’s finishing were spot on. Bowling-wise, Vyshak’s death-over smarts and Arshdeep’s composure sealed it. Middle overs could’ve been tighter, though.
- GT: The chase was well-planned – Gill’s start, Sai-Buttler’s partnership, and Rutherford’s cameo kept them alive. But their bowling lacked discipline, and Siraj’s off-day hurt. Shubman might need to rally his bowlers better next time.
Stats That Stood Out
- 243/5 is PBKS’s highest IPL total against GT.
- GT’s 16 sixes in the chase are their most in an IPL innings.
- Shreyas Iyer’s 97* is his highest IPL score, beating his previous best of 96.
- GT’s 232/5 is their highest total while chasing.
Final Thoughts
Friends, this match was peak IPL entertainment! PBKS showed they mean business under Shreyas Iyer, while GT proved they’ve got the batting chops to chase big totals – just need their bowlers to step up. The Narendra Modi Stadium lived up to its high-scoring reputation, and we got a game that had us glued till the last ball. Next up, GT face Mumbai Indians at home on March 29, while PBKS travel to Lucknow to take on LSG on April 1. Who’s your pick for the next game? Drop it in the comments!
Till then, keep loving cricket, and let’s hope for more thrillers like this!