GT vs RCB

11:30 PM local time and IST: That wraps up proceedings for tonight, GT make it two wins in a row to keep themselves close to the top-4 and in the process get a net run-rate boost as well while handing RCB their third defeat in 9 games in the season. Tomorrow, it is yet another important clash as RR host DC in Jaipur. Do join us for that, for now this is Sourabh Agrawal signing off on behalf of Pradeep and the rest of the team. Cheers!

Jason Holder is the Player of the Match for his all-round performance (2 wickets, 3 catches and 12 runs), here is what he had to say: Was one of those nights. The energy was right up there. After the first over or two, everyone was little edgy but credits to KG (Rabada) and Siraj for bowling that well in the powerplay. 

(on his catch to dismiss Patidar) I did see him (Rabada). I was just hoping that I didn't run into him. Not sure who would have won that battle. My main focus was to just commit and hold on to it. (the ball following him in the field) Not something I really mind, just welcome it as it comes and happy to contribute for the team.
 
(on having to wait for his chance to get into the team) The way this franchise operates, it has been really good. You just have to stay sharp. We have been very clear with the plans, it is just about being prepared and coming in to execute.

Shubman Gill (GT captain): Feels very satisfying. On a wicket like this, restricting a team like that to under 160 was a tremendous job by the bowlers. At phases we haven't fielded well, today was one of the days when everyone came together and the energy was there specially after the 2nd over after Virat bhai hit us for some runs. (was there a conscious effort to put the pressure at the start of the chase?) Not really, I just felt that today was my day specially after the second over. (runs from Rahul Tewatia) He is a very important player for us, that was the discussion at the timeout to finish the game, he got some nice runs

Jos Buttler [Gujarat Titans]: "(On the pitch and overall performance) It was a really good batting surface, so credit has to go to the bowlers for the way they operated. One of the key differences for us today was holding on to our catches, which made a big impact.(On conditions with the new ball) There was a bit of movement early on. Both sides had quality with the new ball—Siraj and Rabada were excellent, and the opposition bowlers were equally strong. It was important to try and disrupt their lengths, and I thought Shubman did that brilliantly.(On his batting approach and dismissal) The plan was to put pressure on accurate bowlers by changing their lengths and lines. That approach worked initially, but I got a bit greedy when I saw a gap at mid-wicket and ended up losing my wicket trying to exploit it.(On Shubman Gill’s impact) He was outstanding. What he spoke about before the game, he executed perfectly—calm, clinical, and decisive against top-quality bowling. That approach set the tone early and played a big role in the chase.(On the importance of the win) These are massive two points at a crucial stage of the tournament. We’re in a phase where every win matters, especially with matches against teams around us, so this result is very important for us moving forward."

Rajat Patidar hands over the Purple Cap to Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (17 wickets in 9 games)! Here's what he has to say: "(On the total and bowling effort) The score wasn’t good enough on this surface, but the way we bowled and stretched the game into the 15th–16th over was a positive. The pitch offered something for the bowlers—there was a bit of grip and bounce, and the grass cover helped. Shubman played really well in the powerplay and put us under pressure, but I thought we responded well in phases.(On key learnings from the loss) It’s quite clear—we lost too many wickets in the middle overs, which pushed us onto the back foot. That’s an area we need to improve.(On Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s performance) He’s been incredibly consistent over the years. The way he bowled in the first half was outstanding, and that experience really shows in this format.(On the team’s mindset going forward) It’s a long tournament, and setbacks are part of it. We’ll take it one game at a time and focus on playing good cricket rather than looking at the points table."

11:03 PM local time and IST: MATCH SUMMARY

Gujarat Titans (158/6 in 15.5 overs) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (155 all-out in 19.2 overs) by 4 wickets

Shubman Gill 43(18) | Arshad Khan 3/22(3.2)
Devdutt Padikkal 40(24) | Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/27(4)

Smiles all around in the GT camp, congratulatory hugs too as they make it back-to-back wins and close down the gap with the top-4 keeping themselves in touching distance with what has turned out to be a pretty comprehensive win in the end with 25 balls to spare

It is now all even at 4-4 in this rivalry between GT and RCB and very interestingly all those 8 games have been won by the chasing side

155 was always going to an under par total, GT pretty much did the job in the first half with the ball and on the field and all they needed to apply the finishing touches with the bat. The rampaging start provided by skipper Shubman Gill who got off the blocks like a superfast express pretty much erased whatever doubts there were in this run chase. An 18-ball 43 for Gill including a huge 24-run over first up against Hazlewood made sure that RCB were put on the backfoot straightaway. However, GT did make heavy weather of it

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was once again at his best with the new ball, RCB were a bowler short having used Venky Iyer as the impact sub and it was important for someone like him to step up, he picked up the GT top-3 and ended with a 3-er plus the purple cap but there was simply not enough support for him. Romario did pick two in an over in the 11th over, GT were 111/5 at one stage but there were just not enough runs on the board for RCB as GT, depsite of the middle order wobble yet again, finished the job inside 16 overs with Tewatia (27*) and Rashid (7*) at the crease and make it one each for both the teams for the season

15.5 Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, FOUR! THAT'S IT! GT hold their nerve! Drag down from Suyash, Rashid uses his feet and had to reach for it, slaps it over covers, runs away to the ropes and pick up two crucial points.

15.4 Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, length delivery on fourth stump, Rashid sweeps it along the turf to deep backward square-leg and they pick up two more.

15.3 Suyash Sharma to Rashid Khan, length delivery, came angling into middle and leg. Tewatia went back and swipes it to deep square-leg for one.

15.1 Suyash Sharma to Rahul Tewatia, FOUR! Boundary to start the over, wheels now coming off for RCB. Floated full outside the off-stump, Tewatia lofted it over extra-cover, runs away to the ropes.

11 still needed, GT are taking their sweet little time to get across the line. You can see that this is a middle and lower middle order that lacks confidence

14.5 Romario Shepherd to Rashid Khan, back of a length on the off-stump, Rashid hangs back and punched it straight back to the bowler for a dot.

14.4 Romario Shepherd to Rahul Tewatia, back of a length on the off-stump, Tewatia waits on the backfoot, turned it around the corner for one more.