By RCB Batting Struggles: What Went Wrong Against Gujarat?
In a high-stakes IPL 2025 clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans (GT), losing by eight wickets. While Gujarat’s clinical performance played a major role in the outcome, it was RCB’s underwhelming and inconsistent batting that ultimately led to their downfall. Setting a modest target of 169/8, RCB never looked in control throughout their innings. A closer analysis reveals several glaring issues — from top-order failures to lack of cohesive partnerships — that contributed to their struggle.
Top-Order Collapse: A Familiar Story
The foundation of any strong T20 innings lies in a solid start, but RCB’s top order once again faltered under pressure. The match began on a sour note as the Titans struck early blows, dismantling RCB’s core batting unit within the powerplay.
- Virat Kohli, RCB’s most experienced and dependable batter, was dismissed cheaply for just 7 runs. Arshad Khan executed a perfect plan, getting Kohli to edge one behind, giving GT an early breakthrough.
- Devdutt Padikkal, promoted up the order, failed to make an impact. He managed only 4 runs before falling to the fiery pace of Mohammed Siraj, who was playing against his former franchise.
- Phil Salt, usually known for his aggressive starts, contributed a brief 14 before Siraj struck again. His dismissal added to RCB’s woes, and by the end of the sixth over, they were reeling at 42/4.
This early collapse meant the onus fell squarely on the middle order to rescue the innings — a task that was always going to be difficult on a pitch offering some assistance to bowlers..
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Middle-Order Resistance: Lone Warriors Amidst Chaos
Despite the shaky start, RCB found some solace in the middle order, where a few batsmen showed glimpses of fight and resilience.
- Liam Livingstone emerged as the standout performer, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 54. His ability to rotate strike and find occasional boundaries helped in temporarily steadying the innings.
- Jitesh Sharma partnered well with Livingstone, contributing a gritty 33. The pair added a much-needed 60-run stand that briefly revived RCB’s hopes of reaching a competitive total.
- Later in the innings, Tim David played a brisk knock, scoring 30 off 17 balls. His late flourish included a couple of towering sixes that gave RCB a fighting chance to push past the 160 mark.
However, these efforts were not enough. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals, and no two batsmen could string together a truly impactful, match-defining partnership. The inability to build momentum in the second half of the innings was a major setback.
GT’s Bowling Brilliance: Discipline and Precision
The Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack deserves ample credit for executing their plans to perfection. Every bowler knew their role and delivered with consistency and discipline.
- Mohammed Siraj, facing his old team, bowled with extra intent and fire. His spell of 3/19 not only broke the back of RCB’s top order but also set the tone for the rest of the innings.
- Arshad Khan supported well with timely breakthroughs, including the prized wicket of Kohli. His variations and control over line and length made it difficult for RCB batters to settle.
- The rest of the bowling unit, including Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, maintained a tight grip in the middle overs, stifling any attempt by RCB to accelerate.
The Titans’ bowling strategy — mixing pace with spin, using wide lines to curb power-hitting, and maintaining pressure — proved too much for RCB to handle.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for RCB
RCB’s defeat to Gujarat Titans has once again exposed their vulnerabilities in the batting department. The top-order collapse, lack of meaningful partnerships, and over-reliance on individual brilliance continue to hurt their campaign. While the middle order showed some fight, it wasn’t enough to mask the shortcomings.
Going forward, RCB will need to reassess their approach, especially in powerplay overs and during rebuilding phases. With the tournament heating up, time is running out for them to fix these flaws and bring consistency to their performances.
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