IPL 2025: Kane Williamson Praises GT Duo Buttler & Siraj, Reveals What Cost RCB The Match

New Zealand batter Kane Williamson praised Gujarat Titans' match heroes Jos Buttler and Mohammed Siraj before explaining how Royal Challengers Bengaluru could have changed the outcome of the IPL 2025 contest in Bengaluru on Wednesday (April 2).

Put into bat, RCB lost their way in the powerplay, losing Virat Kohli, Phli Salt and Devdutt Padikkal early. However, a fight back from the middle order helped the team set a target of 170, which was chased down with ease by GT.

In a detailed post-match analysis on JioHotstar's Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live, Kane Williamson, a renowned JioStar expert, delved into the specifics of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru versus Gujarat Titans clash in the TATA IPL 2025.

Williamson highlighted the standout performances and pivotal moments that defined the game's outcome. Williamson commended Jos Buttler for his exceptional showing with the Gujarat Titans, emphasizing Buttler's adaptability and strategic gameplay.

"There's always something refreshing about joining a new team, and that's what Jos Buttler got here at Gujarat Titans. It's a great environment. What I'm really enjoying about Jos at the moment is that, while many big hitters in other teams are looking to hit every ball for six, he remains totally committed to and trusting of his game plan.

"Over the last eight years, he has consistently been one of the top batters and a match-winner in world cricket. We saw that again this evening, and it bodes really well for GT going forward in the tournament," he expressed, indicating Buttler's significant role in the Titans' strategy and success.

Insights on Performances and Strategy

Mohammad Siraj's bowling prowess also received high praise from Williamson, who pointed out Siraj's effective use of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium's conditions to lead Gujarat Titans' attack. He noted Siraj's energy and precision, which earned him the Player of the Match title.

Williamson remarked, "Siraj is obviously familiar with the conditions at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He bowled with real fire in his belly, led the attack with aggression, and bowled with some excellent pace. He was deservedly named Player of the Match. While Jos Buttler was outstanding and back to his best in the second innings, Siraj set the tone early on, making a significant impact for GT."

Commenting on Virat Kohli’s early dismissal, Williamson pointed out the unpredictability of cricket, acknowledging Kohli's prowess yet noting the unpredictability of outcomes. "It was just an instinctive shot—one that Virat has played a million times before.

"This time, it went straight to the fielder. He's hit it for six plenty of times, he's flicked it along the ground, but sometimes, that's just how the game goes. It was a huge wicket for GT because Virat at Chinnaswamy is incredibly destructive. He has scored around 3,000 runs here and knows how to bat long and play match-winning knocks. So, getting him out early was crucial for Gujarat Titans."

Williamson also shared his perspective on what Royal Challengers Bengaluru might consider after their defeat, suggesting a more cautious approach in the middle overs could be beneficial. He observed that aiming for high totals might lead to risks that don't always pay off.

"There's a growing trend in the TATA IPL where teams are constantly aiming for high totals, especially at venues like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where big scores seem achievable. But sometimes, in the pursuit of those high totals, you can get ahead of yourself.

"After losing a couple of early wickets, it's important to consolidate and build a partnership. If you have wickets in hand, the last 10 overs can be really productive, going at 14 runs per over or more. Perhaps, RCB might reflect on this game and feel that if they had batted together for a few more overs, they could have set themselves up better.

"They played incredibly well in the first two games, but they might look back and think that a different approach in the middle overs could have put them in a stronger position on this wicket, which had some assistance for seam bowlers."