Gujarat Titans intention for IPL 2025 glory with Shubman Gill as captain, Jos Buttler as opener, and a power-packed batting line-up
Two times IPL finalists and one-time champions, the Gujarat Titans have experienced several ups and downs over the last three years. They started under the leadership of Hardik Pandya and now have Shubman Gill as their captain. The team is back for IPL 2025 with a strong batting line-up featuring several reliable players. In their last IPL season, GT performed phenomenally, reaching two finals and securing one title. Under coach Ashish Nehra, they’ll be aiming for another trophy this season, thanks to some impressive player retentions and acquisitions. The team retained stars like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan, and surprisingly, Shahrukh Khan. Additionally, they made a blockbuster purchase by signing Jos Buttler for a whopping ₹15.75 crore. Buttler addresses the team’s long-standing need for a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman and a destructive opener. They also added Sherfane Rutherford, a clinical and explosive batter from the Caribbean.
GT’s Best Batting Line-Up for IPL 2025:
- Shubman Gill
- Jos Buttler
- Sai Sudharsan
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
Gill and Buttler: The dynamic opening pair
It’s confirmed that Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler will open for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. Both have phenomenal numbers as openers. Buttler, a proven IPL star, is expected to provide explosive starts, while Gill, as captain, will play a significant role in ensuring strong powerplay scores. Last season, Sai Sudharsan also opened in three matches, boasting an impressive strike rate of 162. However, this year, the opening partnership is locked with Gill and Buttler due to their experience and consistency.
Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler IPL performance
| Player | Innings | Runs | SR | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 205 | 6,798 | 141.7 | 39/11 |
| Jos Buttler | 106 | 3,582 | 147.5 | 19/7 |
Sai Sudharsan at Number 3
Sai Sudharsan is set to play at number 3, a position where he has delivered remarkable performances. As an anchor, he brings stability to the innings, especially if Jos Buttler is dismissed early. Sudharsan’s reliability makes him the perfect choice to hold the innings together and build a solid platform for the middle order.
| Innings | Runs | SR | HS | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1,034 | 139.2 | 103 | 6/1 |
Rutherford, Shahrukh, and Tewatia in the Middle Order
Sherfane Rutherford will take the number 4 spot. The Caribbean batter is known for his power-hitting and can change the game with big strokes. In 155 T20 matches, he has scored 2,482 runs with 12 half-centuries at a strike rate of 133.51. At number 5, Shahrukh Khan, a surprising retention, will play a vital role. Despite limited opportunities in IPL 2024, where he scored 127 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 169.3, Shahrukh has proven his potential in the Tamil Nadu Premier League.
At number 6, Rahul Tewatia continues to be a dependable finisher. In IPL 2022, he scored 217 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 147.6. GT has shown faith in him, and he remains a key player for closing out innings. The middle order also allows for flexibility, with options to shuffle Shahrukh and Tewatia based on match situations.
| Player | Innings | Runs | SR | HS | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherfane Rutherford | 9 | 106 | 101.9 | 28 | 0/0 |
| Shahrukh Khan | 37 | 553 | 141.4 | 58 | 1/0 |
| Rahul Tewatia | 65 | 1,013 | 134.7 | 53 | 1/0 |
Impact player options
Mahipal Lomror is another player who deserves a spot in the playing XI. However, due to the power-packed middle order, he may be used as an impact player. Along with that Anuj Rawat is also a good option for the team. Overseas stars like Glenn Philips might miss out due to the limited slots available for foreign players.
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