RCB vs GT: Mohammed Siraj Shines as Player of the Match in Gujarat Titans' Dominant 8-Wicket Victory

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RCB vs GT: Royal Challengers Bengaluru's campaign in IPL 2025 got off to a disappointing start as they were outclassed by Gujarat Titans in a commanding eight-wicket win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The game followed a familiar pattern-chasing teams thriving-marking the sixth consecutive victory for the side batting second in this fixture.

However, despite RCB's defeat, Mohammed Siraj was named the Player of the match. The fiery pacer was the standout performer with the ball, striking twice early to peg RCB back into the contest. His 4-0-19-3 spell was the lone bright spark in an otherwise forgettable outing for the hosts.

Siraj’s Fire with the Ball

When RCB put up 169/8, it was clear they needed a strong bowling performance to defend the below-par total. And it was Siraj who provided them with hope. His spell was a masterclass in high-intensity bowling under pressure. He started by dismissing Phil Salt with a well-directed short ball before returning to remove Devdutt Padikkal with another sharp delivery that skidded through.

Later, when Liam Livingstone looked set to drag RCB to a competitive total, Siraj's discipline and accuracy once again proved vital. The speedster forced the Englishman into a false stroke, sending a sharp catch into the hands of Jos Buttler. Siraj's efforts ensured that RCB stayed in the game for as long as possible.

"Siraj was the pick of the bowlers. He hit the hard lengths and didn't give the batters much to work with," said former cricketer Murali Kartik on air. His ability to swing the new ball and execute his plans made him a deserving MVP in a match where bowlers otherwise struggled.

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Jos Buttler’s Brilliance Seals the Chase

While Siraj fought hard with the ball, Jos Buttler's brilliance with the bat ensured Gujarat Titans chased down the target with ease. The Englishman, who had a torrid time behind the stumps earlier in the evening, made up for it in style with an unbeaten 72* off just 39 balls.

After a solid foundation laid by Sai Sudharsan (49 off 36) and Shubman Gill (14 off 14), Buttler took control. He played some breathtaking shots, smashing six sixes and three boundaries, and took full advantage of the small Chinnaswamy ground.

The final flourish came in the 18th over, when Buttler launched Josh Hazlewood for back-to-back sixes, bringing up the win with 13 balls to spare. Sherfane Rutherford provided the finishing touches with a breezy 30 off 18 balls.

RCB’s Struggles Continue

For RCB, it was another case of missed opportunities. Their top order, barring Virat Kohli's 7 off 6 and Livingstone's quickfire 54 off 40, failed to fire. Despite a late surge from Tim David (32 off 18), the total was never going to be enough against GT's powerful batting lineup.

With this defeat, RCB find themselves searching for early momentum, while Gujarat Titans walk away with confidence. Mohammed Siraj may have been the MVP, but this night belonged to Jos Buttler and Gujarat Titans, who once again proved why they are one of the most dangerous sides in the IPL.