SRH vs GT: Clash of Titans Ends in a Thriller

SRH vs GT Post Match Report

In the 19th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Gujarat Titans (GT) presented a commanding performance, claiming a convincing seven-wicket win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on April 6, 2025. The victory was GT’s third successive win in the tournament, whereas SRH recorded their fourth successive loss, highlighting the contrasting trends of the two sides.

The April 6, 2025, clash between the Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad was an absorbing demonstration of changing dynamics in the Indian Premier League. Shubman Gill led the Gujarat Titans with a masterful display of calm and well-thought-through cricket, which dominated the Sunrisers across all departments as they recorded an easy 7-wicket victory. With the pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium providing a bit of help to bowlers, it was hoped that a competitive first-innings score would be in the region of 170–180 runs. But SRH’s failure to form partnerships and respond to disciplined bowling by GT resulted in them coming short at 152/8 — well below par on a surface that is expected to yield high scores.

Mohammed Siraj’s aggressive spell (4/17) wholly ruined SRH’s batting rhythm in the early stages. He used the bounce and movement to devastating effect, removing dangerous players and laying the platform for a competitive bowling show. His show, along with effective spells from R Sai Kishore and Prasidh Krishna, showed how GT’s bowling department is not only deep but also tactically astute.

With the bat, GT chased down the target with precision, thanks to a mature, unbeaten knock from Shubman Gill and aggressive innings by Washington Sundar and Sherfane Rutherford. Gill’s calm presence at the crease proved crucial in guiding the team after the loss of two early wickets. Sundar’s promotion up the order was a masterstroke, as he took on the bowlers and never let the required run rate spiral out of control.

batsman-attempts-a-boundry-but-ball-goes-in-hand

Conversely, SRH have continued to struggle, particularly with the middle order and crunch time bowling implementation. Although there were some flashes of brilliance from Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy, the team could not manage to forge enough partnerships or put pressure with the ball. The bowling, other than initial success from Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins, was not good enough to defend a paltry total.

For SRH, the future demands reflection — particularly about their middle-order solidity, finishing abilities, and bowling resources. For GT, this game cements their status as one of the most well-rounded and tactically flexible teams in the league this year.

As far as major learnings go:

• Gujarat Titans continue to exhibit strategy clarity and depth of personnel.
• Shubman Gill is transforming not only as a batsman but as a self-assured and potent leader as well.
• SRH need to redesign their combinations and possibly spend some money on shoring up their batting order and death bowling arsenal.

Toss

• GT’s skipper, Shubman Gill, won the toss and chose to field first, which was a move determined by the nature of the Hyderabad pitch. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is renowned for its batting-friendly surfaces, often yielding high-scoring encounters. However, this particular match was played on a black-soil pitch, known to offer variable bounce and assist bowlers who maintain disciplined lines and lengths. Historically, the ground has seen a highest aggregate of 286/6 by Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals in 2025 and the lowest aggregate of 80 all out by Delhi Daredevils in 2013.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings

SRH’s innings began with early jolts, losing the opener Travis Head for 8 runs in the first over, at the hands of a clipping delivery from Mohammed Siraj. The early loss showed the path for a tough batting performance.

Important Batting Performances:

• Abhishek Sharma: Scored 18 runs from 16 balls, with four boundaries, before getting caught by Rahul Tewatia off Siraj’s bowling.
• Ishan Kishan: Scored 17 runs off 14 deliveries, exhibiting glimpses of form but could not translate that into a decent score.
• Nitish Kumar Reddy: The highest scorer with a sedate 31 runs off 34 balls, supporting the middle order and trying to steady the ship.
• Heinrich Klaasen: Contributed a brisk 27 runs off 19 balls with two boundaries and a six, trying to quicken the rate of scoring.
• Aniket Verma: Added a late flourish with 18 runs off 14 balls, including two boundaries, taking the team’s total over the 150-run barrier.

These efforts notwithstanding, SRH were unable to get momentum going, managing only 152 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Hitmen-of-SRH-and-GT

Bowling Highlights for GT

• Mohammed Siraj: Bowled a brilliant spell, taking 4 wickets for 17 runs in his 4 overs, practically breaking SRH’s top order and being awarded the Player of the Match.
• R Sai Kishore: Was economical and penetrative, taking 2 wickets for 24 runs in his quota, putting pressure in the middle overs.
• Prasidh Krishna: Supported the bowling with the figures of 2 for 25, making it tough for SRH’s batsmen to score freely.

The clinical bowling display by GT limited SRH to a sub-par total on a surface that demanded calculated aggression.

Gujarat Titans Innings

Pursuing a score of 153, GT’s innings started with initial hiccups as Sai Sudharsan was run out for 5 runs in the third over by Mohammed Shami. Things got worse when Jos Buttler got out for a duck to Pat Cummins, leaving GT at a vulnerable 16 for 2.

Key Batting Performances

• Shubman Gill: Demonstrated his class and calmness, scoring an unbeaten 63 runs from 42 balls. His knock consisted of seven boundaries, well anchoring the chase and providing stability at one end.
• Washington Sundar: Pushed up the order, played a thrilling knock of 49 runs from 29 balls. His aggressive batting, with six boundaries and a six, turned the game decisively in GT’s direction.
• Sherfane Rutherford: Brought in as impact substitute, gave the finishing touches with a quick 28 not out off just 15 balls, scattered with boundaries and a six that cleared the roof, sealing the win in style.

GT reached the target easily in 15.4 overs, ending at 153 for 3, with a run rate of 9.77 runs per over.

celebrations-of-the-Titans

Bowling Highlights for SRH:

• Mohammed Shami: Was able to take 1 wicket for 25 runs in his 3 overs, giving an early breakthrough but without support from the other end.
• Pat Cummins: Also took 1 wicket, giving away 25 runs in his 3.4 overs, but could not check the run flow in the middle overs.

The failure of SRH’s bowlers to stop GT’s batsmen, in addition to their inability to show penetration in the middle overs, enabled GT to chase the score comfortably.

Impact Players and Contributions

• Mohammed Siraj (GT): His initial strikes and tight spell were instrumental in keeping SRH to a reasonable total, thereby laying the basis for GT’s successful pursuit.
• Shubman Gill (GT): In his role as captain, his unbeaten half-century gave solidity and led the team to a win, demonstrating leadership and batting skills.
• Washington Sundar (GT): His attacking batting during the middle overs nullified SRH’s bowling attack and took the chase ahead, showcasing his versatility and worth to the team.

Players Who Did Not Play

The difference substitutes for both teams who were not included in the playing XI were:

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

• Abhinav Manohar
• Sachin Baby
• Simarjeet Singh
• Rahul Chahar
• Wiaan Mulder

Gujarat Titans:

• Glenn Phillips
• Anuj Rawat

Pitch Conditions

The game took place on a black soil pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad — a surface previously noted for providing an even contest between bat and ball. Before this game, the surface had favored high-scoring matches, with teams regularly crossing the 180–200 barrier. But on this specific day, the pitch seemed to be a bit slower than usual, with uneven bounce being a factor in the first innings. The new ball swung appreciably to the keeper, providing early bounce for pacers such as Mohammed Siraj, who used it in excellent fashion. The spinners were provided with some grip and turn as the innings went on, particularly in the middle overs, but the turn was not outrageous. The surface dryness assisted bowlers such as R Sai Kishore in holding tight lines and gaining purchase. Batting was a little easier under lights as the dew fell, accelerating the outfield and decreasing support for bowlers. The second innings revealed that if set, batsmen could free-scoring, especially if they aimed for the straight boundaries. Overall, the pitch favored teams chasing — a factor that influenced Gujarat Titans’ decision to bowl first after winning the toss. The expected par score on this surface was around 170–180, but Sunrisers Hyderabad fell short with 152/8, leaving themselves vulnerable to a clinical chase.

What Could Have Been a Better Pitch Condition?

Though the black soil pitch of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium provided an even contest in patches, the surface in this game marginally tipped the scale in favor of bowlers in the first innings, especially those who delivered hard lengths and changing pace. For a format such as T20, particularly in the IPL where television ratings feed on close-fought matches and hitting extravaganzas, a truer-paced and better-balanced wicket could have made the match of higher quality. A marginally harder, evenly paced wicket with proper bounce and lesser dependence on surface wear for bowler advantage would have made the game more competitive, perhaps enabling both sides to aim for 170+ and play a nerve-wracking finish. As a neutral and for entertainment value, such a pitch achieves the optimal balance between bat and ball in T20 cricket.

This game might not have been a nail-biter, but it was a tactical chess match — one in which Gujarat outmaneuvered Hyderabad in each move. As the tournament continues, such performances will define the playoff race and continue to highlight the difference between teams that adapt quickly and those who are still searching for their rhythm.

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