Gujarat Titans handed Royal Challengers Bengaluru their first defeat in the Indian Premier League homecoming match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Titans secured a convincing eight-wicket victory with more than two overs to spare. Mohammed Siraj’s fiery bowling performance (three for 19) and Jos Buttler’s brilliant batting display (73 not out from 39 balls) led Titans to their second win in three matches.
Chasing a target of 170, the visitors did not have a blazing start but Buttler’s calculated assault in the middle overs put them ahead. He smashed two sixes off Rasikh Dar in the ninth over and completed his half-century in 31 balls with a six and a four off Liam Livingstone in the 15th over. Partnering with Sherfane Rutherford (30 not out), Buttler sealed the victory by hitting three sixes off Josh Hazlewood in the 18th over.
In the first innings, RCB struggled at 42 for four as Siraj, Arshad Khan, and Ishant Sharma troubled their batsmen. Despite the early setbacks, Livingstone’s 54 off 40 balls, combined with partnerships with Jitesh Sharma and Tim David, helped RCB post a competitive total of 169.
However, Titans comfortably chased down the target with Buttler leading the charge. RCB’s late surge in the last five overs was not enough to secure a win as Titans emerged victorious. This defeat marked RCB’s first loss in three matches in the IPL.
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