IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans middle-over dominance helps continue fine run in IPL 2025 despite top-order dependence

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 21 (ANI): Gujarat Titans (GT) have emerged as the top performer as a batting unit in the middle overs, which has contributed to their immense success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) so far, despite lack of superstar presence in the batting line-up.
GT batting, though mainly reliant on their top order of skipper Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler continued their success in the ongoing IPL with yet another power-packed performance which saw them post 198 runs while losing just three wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by massive contributions from their top three.
Gill-led side has performed excellently in the middle overs of an innings, from overs seven to 15. With 716 runs, a run-rate of 9.94, average runs per wicket of 65.09 and boundary percentage of 22.40, GT is the top performer among all sides in this phase of the game.
Only two other teams average 40 runs/wicket or higher in this phase: LSG (41.52) and MI (40).
The trio of Shubman Gill (305 runs in eight innings at an average of 43.57, strike rate of over 153 and three half-centuries, seventh-highest run-getter), Sai Sudharsan (417 runs in eight innings at an average of 52.12 and a strike rate of 152.18, with five half-centuries, top run-getter) and Jos Buttler (356 runs in eight innings at an average of 71.20, strike rate of 165.58 with three fifties, third-highest run-getter), have laid down the foundation for GT's success in middle overs, often holding up one end and letting the middle order play with their free flowing style.
Notably, the opening pair of Gill-Sudharsan has been top-notch this season, having put on 448 runs together in eight innings at an average of 56.00, with a run-rate of 8.93, forming two century and two half-century stands each. Their best effort was a stand of 120 runs, which came against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Coming to the match, KKR won the toss and opted to bowl first. A 114-run stand between Sudharsan (52 in 36 balls, with six fours and a six) and Gill, who scored 90 in 55 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, served as a solid foundation for a big score. Then a 58-run stand between Gill and Jos Buttler (41* in 23 balls, with eight fours) took GT to 198/3 in their 20 overs.
Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell got a wicket each for KKR.
GT need to defend 199 runs to secure their sixth win in the competition. (ANI)