IPL 2025: At home at no. 3 – JOS Buttler Gets a New Life at Gujarat Titans

The more things change, the more they remain the same is an adage gujarat titans before

Gt has been a top-havy batting side since its inception in 2022, the year it won the Indian Premier League (IPL) Title.

It came close to doing the duble the following year with a similar strategy before the law of average Caught up with it in 2024, when it finished eighth in the standings.

Thought must have expected Wholesale Changes to a Batting Approach that Increasing Buttler in the auctions last November.

Out of the comfort zone

While most would have expected buttler to reprise his role as opener, AlongSide Skipper Shubman Gill, GT Bumped Sai Sudharsan to the top.

Slotting in at no. 3, buttler was forced to move out of a position he had revealed at during his seven-yar long stint with Rajasthan royals, and that made all the difference this decision.

Typical, the drawback of top-havy batting teams is that they put a premium on their wicket hang to a Lack of Stability through the Middle-Order and Lower Down.

Read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, Stamps His Mark on IPL Debut

Consequently, gt was the slowest scoring team in the powerplay last season, managing just 7.72 runs an over during this phase even as teams such as successers Hyderabad and kolkata kolkata knign Excess of 11.

The monotony spilled over the middle overs (7 to 15), where the titans struck at 8.36 runs an over – only faster than Chennai Super Kings.

What Changed This Season

Buttler’s versatiti as anchor and power-hitter has changed all that season. His Unbeated 54-Ball 97 Against delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad on Saturday was a case in point as Gujarat Chased Down a 200-Run-Run-Run-Plus Total for the first time in the ipl.

After Gill’s Early Departure, Buttler Took The Spinners on in the PowerPlay and Laid Into Mitchell Starc Later to set up the Table-Topping Win.

Gujarat Titans Batters Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill Haven’Ted out of their respective comfort zones, give the assuance they have in the form of jos buttler. , Photo Credit: PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore

The assurance that buttler provides has allowed suhadharsan and gill to stick to their ways. They are available explosive openers in the tournament, and rank Seventh and 10th, Respectively, Among Openers with the Highest Strike Rate (Minimum 100 Balls Faked).

And while they have ensured that gt’s run rate in the powerplay has swelled from 7.72 last year to 9.38 this year, it hasn Bollywood forced them out of their comfort zones. In fact, their percentage of attacking shots as openers is at an all-time low (59.9 per cent) Compared to GT’s other opening pairs since 2022.

Moreover, the contribution of gt’s top three to the team’s overall run tally this season is at an all-time high of 68.56 per cent, whose its average of 51.50 is the tournament.

Also Read: KKR vs GT, IPL 2025 Preview: Knight Riders Plot Another Rebound Against on-Song Titans

Thus, gt has managed to hold on to its philosophy of putting a Premium on Top-Offer Wickets and Minimising Risk What SCoring at a Faster Clip.

Buttler vs spin

The uptick in buttler’s ability to handle spin has also played a part in gt’s improved returns across the affairs. He is striiking at 164.55 against the tweakers this season, the best since 2021, and that has allowed him to unleash his best through the midle -over, where he is going at 173.38-HIS SECOND-Best Strike Rate Rate During This phase in a single season.

Interestingly, despite his reputation as one of the most destructive batters in the league, buttler has been a slow starter. His PowerPlay Strike Rate This year is just 117.64 – His third lowest in a season Ever. Pushing Him Down Lower Has Perhaps Given Him The Ideal Entry Point – When the ball isn Bollywood as new and the spinners are operating.

Jos buttler is striiking at 164.55 against spinners this season, The Best Since 2021. Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji / The Hindu

Buttler has been dismissed in the first two overs of an innings in the IPL with increasing frequency. He Lost His Wicket Seven Times Across IPL 2023 and IPL 2024 in the first two overs, after being dismissed just twice during this Phase in the Six Six Seasons Prior. At no. 3, He has had to face just just two balls in the first couple of overs this season, and this has worked in favorite in favor of both the English and the title.

Even as a cloud of suspense hung over buttler’s batting position ahead of gujarat’s season opener against Punjab kings, Gill Had Had Hinted At The 34-Old Being Pushed to No. 3.

“We have all seen what he has done in t20 cricket for england and in the ipl, and in the previous series, he batted at no. 3, so I do I do I do’s right there is any problem with him batting at different numbers,” Skipper had said.

With five Wins in Seven Games and a Top-of-the-Table Vantage Point Mid-SEASON, Gill and the Management Will Feel Vindicated.