IPL 2025: Who won yesterday's game between GT vs PBKS?

Gujarat Titans (GT) began their IPL 2025 campaign with a narrow 11-run defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad. Chasing a mammoth target of 244, GT fought hard but fell short, thanks to a high-quality display of death bowling by PBKS, led by Vijaykumar Vyshak. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 97 off just 42 balls. 

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After winning the toss, GT skipper Shubman Gill opted to field first. PBKS suffered an early setback as Prabhsimran Singh fell cheaply for five runs, but young opener Priyansh Arya impressed with a quickfire 47 off 23 balls. However, the innings belonged to Iyer, who missed out on a well-deserved century by just three runs, finishing on 97* at a strike rate of 230.95.

The middle order, however, struggled. Azmatullah Omarzai managed 16 off 15, Glenn Maxwell was dismissed for a golden duck, and Marcus Stoinis got a start but could not capitalise, scoring 20 off 15 balls. It was Shashank Singh who provided the late fireworks, smashing an unbeaten 44 off just 16 balls. 

In the final over bowled by Mohammed Siraj, he hammered 22 runs, including five boundaries, pushing PBKS to a formidable 243/5 in 20 overs. For GT, Sai Kishore was the standout bowler, picking up three wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan chipped in with one each.

Let’s take a look at GT’s chase

When GT came out to chase, many expected Jos Buttler to open alongside Gill, but the team opted for Sai Sudharsan instead, maintaining a left-right combination that had been successful in earlier seasons. The decision paid off again, as GT got off to a flying start. 

Gill smashed a blistering 33 off 15 balls before getting dismissed, after which Sudharsan and Buttler built a strong partnership. The duo added 86 runs for the second wicket before Sudharsan fell for a well-made 74 off 41 balls.

GT then introduced Sherfane Rutherford as an Impact Player, and with Buttler still at the crease, the chase looked on track at 169/2 in 14 overs. With dew making it difficult for PBKS bowlers to grip the ball, GT seemed in control. However, the last six overs witnessed a remarkable turnaround from PBKS’ pace attack.

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Despite the challenging conditions, Vyshak, Marco Jansen, and Arshdeep Singh executed their death-over plans to perfection, using wide yorkers to restrict GT's big hitters. In the final six overs, GT could only manage 63 runs while losing three wickets. 

Buttler was dismissed for 54 off 33, and Rutherford, despite reading the bowlers’ variations well, struggled to find boundaries and eventually got out for 46 off 28 balls. GT finished on 232/5 in 20 overs, falling short by 11 runs.

For PBKS, Arshdeep Singh picked up two crucial wickets, while Jansen and Maxwell took one each. Although Vyshak ended wicketless, conceding 28 runs in three overs, his precision in the death overs was instrumental in PBKS' victory.

PBKS will now face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow on 1 April, while GT will look to bounce back against Mumbai Indians (MI) on 29 March in Ahmedabad.

Brief scores:

GT won the toss and elected to bowl first

PBKS: 243/5 (20) 

Shreyas Iyer 97* (42), Priyansh Arya 47 (23), Sai Kishore 3/30, Kagiso Rabada 1/41

GT: 232/5 (20)

Sai Sudharsan 74 (41), Jos Buttler 54 (33), Arshdeep Singh 2/36, Marco Jansen 1/44

PBKS won by 11 runs.

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