- May 18, 2025
Every IPL season has its surprises, be it injuries, poor form, and electrifying finishes, which can quickly turn a season chaotic. But this year, the Gujarat Titans’ hope of attempting to win the IPL is more than a tactic; it’s mental. Jos Buttler is out, and GT has lost a large part of its batting power. Beyond 400-plus runs, GT has lost the confidence, fear factor, and steadiness Buttler provided. Now it is going to be all about Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Do they have the mentality to bear the cricketing weight they will face? Or, will we see evidence of cracks?
Gill and Sudharsan: From Free Hit to Full Load
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have both been artistic all season – they both made batting look easy, fluid, graceful, and efficient. Let’s be completely honest – a lot of that freedom came from having Buttler at No. 3. If you’ve got a world-class finisher at the other end (just one wicket dan), it can change the way you play. Now, things change.
Buttler’s absence means that the cushion disappears. I think Gill and Sudharsan will feel that unquantifiable pressure. Not only do they need to deliver a good start, but they must go deep – often until the 15th or 16th over – and that is a serious mental lift. If Gill and Sudharsan do their job correctly, that shift in mentality could change their fearless manner of self-expression towards a more careful build. And in T20 cricket, that small adjustment can reverberate for the duration of the innings.
GT’s top order could still appear to be at full strength, but it is the loss of Buttler’s presence that is the truly interesting – and complex – element of this plot twist.
Middle Order Mayhem: Who Steps Up?
The true elephant in the room is the middle order. It’s been more like a revolving door than a stronghold! Devdutt Padikkal, Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and Kumar Kushagra are all accomplished players, but none have found their role beyond being the finisher in their cameo performances.
Kusal Mendis joins to replace Jos Buttler, but get this: he’s never played an IPL game before!! Sure, he’s international quality and in good form currently, but playoff pressure in India, that’s another kettle of fish! And let’s not forget you don’t just show up to play IPL at No. 3 and pretend you’re Jos Buttler!
Can GT’s Bowlers Bail Them Out?
The silver lining for Gujarat? Their bowling attack! Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Noor Ahmad – that’s some firepower that’s envious for a lot of teams. And dependent on the usage of Indian seamers gives GT much more tactical flexibility. The pressure on the batting unit is relieved if their bowlers can limit the opposition to teams scoring 160 or less consistently.
It’s a risky strategy to just bowl. One flat pitch, one bad inning in the field, and suddenly you’re chasing 190 on a tricky pitch and beefy middle-order. That’s where we missed Buttler the most – his ability to withstand the big chase and take down the good bowlers. Then, he could set the tone early.
GT may now rely on timing and temperament, rather than pure skill, to make the playoffs. And with Rashid still attempting to find his form this season, it’s not the “sure thing” it was last season. Can the Gujarat Titans adjust their plan this late in the season? Or is this the moment that throws their title hunt off track? Either way, one thing’s for sure — the playoffs got a lot more exciting.
What do you think, can GT live without their English jewel, or are they gambling too much for a return?
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