The Gujarat Titans (GT) started IPL 2025 with much promise, but their season ultimately unraveled in the IPL 2025 Eliminator against Mumbai Indians (MI). A combination of poor form among their bowlers, an underperforming middle order, and costly mistakes in the field contributed to their downfall when it mattered most.
The Concerns that Became Reality
Even when GT was cruising in the tournament, there were underlying concerns about their reliance on their top three – B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler – for runs. The middle order, which should have supported the top order, was often undercooked and failed to step up when required. As the season progressed, those worries became reality, culminating in a disappointing performance during the Eliminator.
Tewatia and Rutherford Fail to Deliver
Both Rahul Tewatia and Sherfane Rutherford, who were expected to take the responsibility in the middle order, failed to replicate the finishing prowess that David Miller provided in GT’s debut season. While Tewatia had been a key performer in previous seasons, his lackluster batting this year became evident in the Eliminator when he could only manage 11 balls, hitting just one six and one four. Rutherford, too, failed to deliver when the team needed him most, struggling in the same manner.
As Tom Moody aptly put it, the middle order, which was expected to be the backbone of the team, had become a “void.” Their inability to capitalize on the opportunities left them with a large gap in their batting lineup, one that was evident throughout the season and particularly during the Eliminator.
A Glimpse of Promise from Washington Sundar
In the midst of the middle order’s failure, Washington Sundar provided some much-needed stability with a brilliant knock of 48 off 24 balls at No. 4 in the Eliminator. His performance, while impressive, could not single-handedly carry GT to victory. According to Tom Moody, the team was missing a quality Indian top-order or middle-order player who could fill the void and bring more balance to the lineup.
“Washington stepped up, but they need a quality Indian player to stabilize the middle order,” said Moody. “That will make a huge difference in their balance for future seasons.”
Bowling Woes and Missed Catches
GT’s bowling unit, which had been effective earlier in the season, began to falter during the crucial phase of the tournament. MI capitalized on these weaknesses, scoring a massive 228 runs in the Eliminator. To make matters worse, GT dropped three important catches, with Rohit Sharma benefitting from two early reprieves.
Rohit capitalized on these chances, going on to score 81 off 50 balls, with his aggressive play further fueled by the missed opportunities. “After those couple of lives, it woke the dragon in him, and Rohit went hell for leather,” said Varun Aaron on ESPNcricinfo. The dropped catches were critical, allowing MI to establish a commanding position.
A Season Unraveled
Despite their strong start to IPL 2025, the GT’s weaknesses became apparent in the back end of the season. Shabby bowling, poor fielding, and an underperforming middle order saw their promising campaign fall apart at the most critical juncture. While their top order had provided many match-winning performances, the team’s inability to balance its batting lineup and plug the holes in their bowling and fielding proved to be their undoing.
As the season concluded with an early exit in the Eliminator, GT’s performance showed that even a promising start can’t guarantee success without consistency across all departments.
