Gujarat Titans (GT) suffered another major blow ahead of IPL 2025 playoffs as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) handed them a thumping 83-run defeat in Ahmedabad. GT were in search of a win to confirm their place at the top of the table and secure a spot in Qualifier One. However, with this loss, their fate is no longer in their own hands. They now need to monitor the results of other matches to understand their final position in the top four heading into the playoffs.
Despite finishing the group stage with 18 points from 14 games and a net run rate of +0.254, the defeat exposed several key issues for Shubman Gill and his men —particularly ones that were exploited by CSK.
Over-Dependence on the Top Order
GT’s top-order batters have been in excellent form throughout the season. After 14 games, Sai Sudharsan leads the Orange Cap race with 679 runs, followed closely by Shubman Gill with 649 runs. Jos Buttler has also made a strong contribution with 538 runs. Together, these three batters have scored 1,866 out of GT’s total of 2,564 runs—accounting for 72.78 percent of the team's overall runs.
Beyond them, the next highest run-scorer is Sherfane Rutherford, who has made 267 runs in 12 matches. As a result, the middle-order batters have had limited opportunities and haven’t been able to step up when needed. Against CSK, when the top three failed early, the rest of the lineup collapsed, and GT were bowled out for just 147.
Although Shahrukh Khan showed promise alongside Rutherford in a match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), inconsistency continues to be a problem. The CSK game offered another chance, but the middle order failed again. Now, with Buttler unavailable for the playoffs due to his return to England for international commitments, GT face a massive challenge in filling that void.
Rashid Khan’s Declining Form
The experienced Afghan spinner's form has been a major concern this season. GT retained Rashid Khan ahead of IPL 2025, expecting his usual impact. However, in 14 games, he has managed only nine wickets at an economy rate of 9.47. He has looked ineffective on most occasions, with batters confidently countering his threat —something rarely seen in previous seasons.
While his spin partner Sai Kishore has impressed and currently holds the sixth spot in the Purple Cap standings with 17 wickets, Rashid has not been able to complement him effectively. Despite the support, Rashid's inability to produce match-winning spells is worrying.
Mohammed Siraj’s Rhythm Break Post Suspension
Mohammed Siraj started the tournament on a high note. Before the mid-season suspension, he had claimed 15 wickets in 11 games and was among the top bowlers in the competition. However, since the tournament resumed, his form has dipped significantly.
In the last three games, Siraj has gone wicketless while conceding 121 runs in 12 overs at an economy rate of 10.08. The sudden break seems to have affected his rhythm, and now he’s being taken apart with ease by opposition batters.
Bowling Unit Struggles as a Whole
Prasidh Krishna (23 wickets) and Sai Kishore (17 wickets) have been GT’s standout bowlers this season. However, since the resumption of the tournament, the bowling unit as a whole has struggled. In their last three matches, GT have conceded 199/3 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Delhi, 235/2 against LSG in Ahmedabad, and 230/5 against CSK, also in Ahmedabad. Across these games, GT bowlers have picked up only 10 wickets— with Krishna and Kishore accounting for six of those. The rest of the attack has failed to make an impact, raising serious concerns ahead of the knockout stages.
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