Ahmedabad, March 25, 2025 – Gujarat Titans’ left-arm spinner Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore emerged as a standout performer in a high-scoring thriller against Punjab Kings (PBKS) during Match 5 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Despite the Titans’ 11-run defeat while chasing a mammoth 244, Sai Kishore’s disciplined bowling spell of 3/30 in four overs earned him accolades, offering a silver lining in an otherwise challenging night for the home side.
Following the match, the 28-year-old addressed the media, sharing his thoughts on the game, his pivotal role, and the Titans’ road ahead.
A Lone Warrior in a Run-Fest
In a contest where Punjab Kings posted an imposing 243/5—powered by Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 97 off 42 balls and Shashank Singh’s blistering 44* off 16—Sai Kishore stood tall amidst a Gujarat bowling unit that struggled to contain the onslaught.
With an economy rate of 7.50, he was the only Titans bowler to keep his figures under double digits, a remarkable feat on a batting-friendly Ahmedabad pitch where every other bowler conceded over 10 runs per over.
Sai Kishore’s spell turned the tide momentarily when PBKS were cruising at 105/2 in the 11th over.
He dismissed three overseas all-rounders—Azmatullah Omarzai (17), Glenn Maxwell (0), and Marcus Stoinis (20)—in quick succession, including a double-wicket maiden that briefly revived Gujarat’s hopes.
“It was about sticking to the basics,” Sai Kishore said during the press conference. “The pitch was good, and they were hitting well, so I focused on varying my pace and hitting the right lengths. Getting those wickets in the middle overs gave us a chance, but it wasn’t enough today.”
His victims were no small feat: Omarzai fell to a sharp-turning delivery, Maxwell was caught off a miscued shot on the very next ball, and Stoinis perished attempting a risky reverse sweep.
Despite his heroics, Punjab’s late surge, led by Iyer and Singh, proved too steep a mountain to climb.
Gujarat Titans’ Chase Falls Short
Chasing 244, Gujarat Titans fought valiantly but finished at 232/5, falling 11 runs short.
Openers Shubman Gill (43) and Jos Buttler (62) laid a solid foundation, while Sai Sudharsan’s 54 kept the chase alive.
However, PBKS’s bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh (2/38), held their nerve in the death overs, dismissing Sherfane Rutherford (46) and Rahul Tewatia (6) at crucial junctures.
Reflecting on the loss, Sai Kishore remained pragmatic: “We had our chances, both with the ball and bat.
The middle overs hurt us—those 18 runs in three overs while batting shifted the momentum. It’s a long tournament, and we’ll learn from this.”
Captain Shubman Gill, who opted to bowl first citing dew as a factor, echoed Sai Kishore’s sentiments.
“Sai was outstanding. He gave us control when we needed it most. We let ourselves down in the field and leaked too many runs, but there are positives to take forward,” Gill said post-match.
Sai Kishore’s Journey and Gujarat’s Hopes
Sai Kishore’s rise in the IPL has been a slow burn. Since debuting for Gujarat Titans in their title-winning 2022 season, where he picked up six wickets, the Tamil Nadu spinner has grown into a reliable asset.
His four-wicket haul in IPL 2024 made him the first Indian spinner to achieve the feat for GT, and his Match 5 performance reaffirmed his value in a pace-heavy lineup featuring Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Rashid Khan.
“I’ve been working on consistency and adapting to different situations. Playing with world-class bowlers like Rashid and Rabada pushes me to raise my game,” Sai Kishore noted, crediting the team’s bowling depth.
When asked about the pressure of bowling in Ahmedabad—where big totals are the norm—he smiled, “It’s a challenge I enjoy. You’ve got to be smart and fearless.”
As Gujarat Titans look to bounce back from this defeat, Sai Kishore emphasized the need for collective improvement.
“We’re a strong unit. One game doesn’t define us. We’ll regroup and come back harder,” he assured, with their next fixture against Mumbai Indians looming on March 29 at the same venue.
Punjab Kings’ Statement Victory
For Punjab Kings, the win marked a dream start under new captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting.
Iyer’s near-century and Singh’s finishing fireworks set the tone, while their bowlers weathered a late Gujarat surge.
Sai Kishore acknowledged their brilliance: “Shreyas batted beautifully, and Shashank finished it off. They put us under pressure from the start.”
As the press conference concluded, Sai Kishore left with a quiet resolve, his words reflecting both pride in his effort and determination to turn the tide for Gujarat Titans.
With 13 league matches remaining, his performance in Match 5 has set the stage for a compelling IPL 2025 campaign.
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