Courtesy: BCCI/IPL
Gujarat Titans (GT) wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler has divulged how he was left embarrassed after failing to grab a chance as a stumper against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Phil Salt, in the 14th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Batting first after winning the toss, Gujarat showed discipline to restrict the hosts on a score of 169/8. Pacer Mohammed Siraj performed extraordinarily and racked up 3/19 figures in his four overs. Chasing the target, Jos Buttler simplified the visitors’ job as he produced a ferocious knock of an unbeaten 73 off 39 to help GT bag an eight-wicket win. He got assistance from Sherfane Rutherford, who hit unbeaten 30 runs after facing 18 balls.
Following the match, Buttler attended a post-match conference and revealed how dropping the Bengaluru opener and his compatriot Salt left him shame-faced. On the fifth delivery of the match, Salt nicked a ball which went behind the stumps to Buttler, who couldn’t seal it properly. Salt had scored only one run when Buttler failed to grab the dolly. Reacting to the missed chance, speedster Siraj looked glum but the English player apologised to the 31-year-old. Later on the second ball of the 10th delivery bowled by Rashid Khan, the England veteran made another mistake as he couldn’t stump Liam Livingstone.
Discussing his mistakes, Buttler said, "I don't know, pretty embarrassed. We know Salt is a dangerous player. I barely got a glove on it and it hit me in the chest. The only thing I could think of trying to celebrate early like Herschelle Gibbs. I was determined to score some runs."
RCB relegated to the third spot on the points table
With their maiden IPL 2025 loss, RCB have lost the top spot to Punjab Kings (PBKS) after moving in the third place. GT, who won their second match in the tournament, got the fourth spot as they were in the fifth position ahead of the match. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are at the bottom of the table with just one win and two heavy defeats in the competition.
RCB’s next assignment is against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on April 7, while GT will be travelling to Hyderabad to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 6. Before hosting Gujarat, SRH will square off against KKR at the iconic Eden Gardens on April 3.
