A Throwback in a High-Octane Era
In an age where IPL teams are all-in on attacking from ball one—riding the wave of the Impact Player rule—the Gujarat Titans have chosen to slow it down to speed it up. Forget the “hit-every-ball” trend. Under Ashish Nehra’s old-school philosophy, Gujarat have embraced patience and class up top. And guess what? It’s working better than anyone expected.
Titans’ Trio: The Real Heavy Hitters
Let’s talk numbers—because they don’t lie. As of April 21, 2025, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler have scored a ridiculous 73.08% of Gujarat Titans’ total team runs (1078 out of 1475). That’s not just leading the charts; it’s obliterating them. No other team even comes close—Lucknow Super Giants trail behind with 65.53%. But while LSG’s top three scored big because their middle order struggled, for GT, it’s a case of pure top-order dominance.
Power Without the Play
Here’s the kicker: they’re not doing this with the typical six-and-out approach. The Titans aren’t maximizing the powerplay with a blitzkrieg. They’re building innings, then exploding. That’s a throwback to the early 2010s. But thanks to the elite shot selection and timing of their top three, they’re making old-school look brand new again.
A CSK-Like Blueprint—Only Better
If you’re thinking this feels familiar, you’re right. The Titans’ strategy mirrors Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning formulas in 2021 and 2023. Back then, CSK’s top order was the backbone. But even they never hit the sheer dependency numbers Gujarat is showing this year. GT’s 73.08% trumps every champion of the past five years.
| Team | Runs by Nos. 1-3 | Total Runs | % Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI 2020 | 1517 | 2642 | 57.42% |
| CSK 2021 | 1686 | 2607 | 64.67% |
| GT 2022 | 1208 | 2517 | 47.99% |
| CSK 2023 | 1677 | 2600 | 64.50% |
| KKR 2024 | 1400 | 2481 | 56.43% |
| GT 2025 | 1078 | 1475 | 73.08% |
Stars of the Show
Each of the top three brings something different to the table:
- Sai Sudharsan leads the Orange Cap race with 417 runs, striking above 150, averaging over 50, and has just two single-digit scores in 33 innings.
- Jos Buttler is playing a dream season, with a strike rate of 166 and an average of 71.20.
- Shubman Gill just hit his season-high score in their 39-run win over KKR, proving he’s peaking at the right time.
What If They Fail?
The one risk? If all three collapse, GT’s middle order is largely untested. But that’s a bridge they’ll cross when they come to it. With their current bowling firepower—Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna leading the attack—they’ve got the cushion to defend even below-par scores.
A Style Worth Watching
It’s rare in T20 to see such a methodical team thrive. While others chase chaos, Gujarat Titans have shown that control, composure, and class still win games. And as long as this top three keeps firing, the Titans look well on course for another run at the title.(cricket betting tips)