IPL 2025: Batting Order Shuffle Brings Success to Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans' Batting Lineup Gamble

Known for surprises, Gujarat Titans (GT) are using a strange but successful batting order in the 2025 IPL. Facing pre-tournament questions about potential middle-order fragility, GT restructured their top three, pairing captain Shubman Gill with Sai Sudharsan as openers and deploying the typically explosive Jos Buttler at number three. This brief looks into the rationale behind this tactical shift, examines its remarkable success, and explores how it leverages the strengths of their batsmen.

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Strategic Realignment

Before the 2025 IPL, a big worry for Gujarat Titans was that they relied too much on their openers and didn't have a star middle-order batsman. Most teams would use a fast scorer like Buttler to open and attack early. But GT chose a different plan. They knew Gill and Sudharsan score steadily rather than explosively at the start, so they made them open together. By moving Sudharsan up from his usual number 3 spot, they hoped to avoid having two similar-paced batsmen batting together if an early wicket fell, which could slow down scoring in the middle overs.

Consequently, Jos Buttler, one of the premier T20 openers globally, was shifted to the number three position. This switch occurred when Buttler was navigating a challenging period concerning his international form, potentially offering him a different role to rebuild confidence. This structure allows Gill and Sudharsan to play their natural anchoring game upfront, while Buttler is positioned to either accelerate after the Powerplay, stabilize following an early wicket, or build upon a strong start.

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Success with Tactical Flexibility

The results of this strategic shuffle have been compelling. The trio of Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler has shouldered the vast majority of the run-scoring burden, accounting for 895 of the team's 1,352 runs prior to the recent Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings fixture. Both Sudharsan and Buttler featured prominently among the league's leading run-scorers and boundary hitters at that stage, with Sudharsan leading in fours hit. Captain Gill has also made consistent contributions.

Crucially, this success has been achieved without forcing the top three batsmen to make major changes to their natural game. Gill and Sudharsan (strike rates around 135-137) focus on accumulating runs and finding boundaries with lower-risk shots, often batting deep into the innings. This reliable foundation provides significant flexibility for the rest of the batting unit, comprising versatile, role-specific players like Sherfane Rutherford, M Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia, who can be deployed situationally, often as Impact Players, without the pressure of rebuilding from collapses.

This approach bears similarities to the successful template often employed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a team GT head coach Ashish Nehra previously played for. While CSK is sometimes questioned for its slow starts, GT tweaked this approach, using their power-hitter Buttler at number three. This structure has enabled GT to consistently post imposing totals, having surpassed the 200-run mark three times and scoring 196 in other outings batting first (lowest being 180/6). This batting consistency provides a cushion for their well-rounded bowling attack, featuring quality spinners like Rashid Khan and R Sai Kishore alongside a potent pace unit, allowing them to compete strongly whether batting first or chasing.

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Changing their top order in IPL 2025 was a clever and winning move by Gujarat Titans. They relied on Gill and Sudharsan to open steadily, shifting Buttler to number three. This unusual lineup uses the best skills of their main players. It gives a solid base that covers up any weakness in the middle order. It also lets their adaptable lower-order batsmen and strong bowlers play confidently. By going against the usual T20 batting style, GT found a great plan that fits their players and gets good results this season.