Can Gujarat Titans cope with the absence of Jos Buttler in IPL 2025 Eliminator?

A dream run at the group stage came to a humbling conclusion as the IPL 2022 champions were pushed into the Eliminator. In 12 matches, Gujarat Titans endured just three defeats, maintaining a strong hold on the top spot of the IPL 2025 points table. However, the campaign dwindled right at the business end. Once a favorite for the Top 2 finish, GT were beaten by LSG and CSK with disproportionate margins. Ruling the points table almost throughout the season didn't aid GT's cause of claiming a seat in the Qualifier. Now, the team, led by Shubman Gill, is set to lock horns with five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians, in the IPL 2025 Eliminator. A bigger threat to deal with, however, is in the team combination itself, with Jos Buttler already in England.

Gujarat Titans have their task cut out for IPL 2025 Eliminator as they face Mumbai Indians sans Jos Buttler

The IPL 2025 schedule was hindered significantly when the India-Pakistan conflict forced a week-long break. The suspension, though it lasted just a little over a week, pushed things off to June, in contrast to the originally planned conclusion on the WTC cycle. With the international cycle rather busy, many overseas prospects opted out of playing the IPL 2025 playoffs. Mitchell Starc, a match-winner for Delhi Capitals until the suspension, didn't return for the resumption. Meanwhile, the likes of Marco Jansen, Ryan Rickelton, Jacob Bethell, and Jos Buttler ceased their IPL 2025 campaign with the conclusion of the group stage.

While many prospects have left their franchises to deal with the playoffs, the task is exceptionally hard for Gujarat Titans to tackle. As mentioned earlier, Gujarat Titans observed a near-perfect campaign before the IPL 2025 suspension. Most of their success was credited to the brilliant performance of the top order, which stood like a wall against the opponents. Jos Buttler transitioned nicely following a long-extended stint with Rajasthan Royals as their opener. In GT, Buttler was handed the No. 3 position as skipper Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan acquired the opening spots.

The combination proved perfect for GT as the top three played impressively at the allotted slots. In 14 matches, the GT top order has accounted for over 72% of the team’s runs. Buttler, coming in at three, has individually scored over 20% for the Titans. Following the trio of Sudharsan, Gill, and Buttler, the highest scorer for GT in IPL 2025 is Sherfane Rutherford with only 267 runs. Clearly, GT has relied heavily, if not entirely, on the top order for the wins that propelled the team into the IPL 2025 playoffs. However, the extension of the season led to Jos Buttler shifting his focus to national duty as he left the GT camp ahead of the playoffs.

The team has signed Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis as the replacement for the English player. While a like-for-like replacement on paper, bringing in a player to make his IPL debut right in the playoffs could not be termed a stable move. In addition, the Titans also have Anuj Rawat in the squad. However, with Rawat yet to play a game in the season, GT is likely to miss the balance and weight that Buttler brought to the lineup.

Sai Sudharsan is leading the Orange Cap race currently, with 679 runs in 14 innings at an average of 52.23. GT skipper Shubman Gill is following close behind with 649 runs in as many innings, averaging 54.08. Meanwhile, Buttler boasts the best average and strike rate among the 'Big 3' of GT this season. The former English captain has scored 538 runs at an average of 59.77 and a strike rate of 163.08. The GT batting order framed up nicely around these batters, with the middle order rarely getting a chance to carry the load.

However, the playoffs luck seems to be eluding the Titans. A 33-run defeat in the GT vs LSG match, followed by an 83-run loss in the GT vs CSK match, pushed the Top 2 contenders into the Eliminator. Now, with a do-or-die chance against Mumbai Indians, GT need to cope with the absence of Jos Buttler. How the team forms the combination without one of its biggest heavyweights would be an interesting sight to behold in Mullanpur on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Director of Cricket for GT, Vikram Solanki, backed his team for the win in the IPL 2025 Eliminator despite the shuffle. Solanki expressed his confidence in the team's middle order to show up if the situation demands. Moreover, the GT DOC iterated that the unit sees it as a team effort, unlike the perception of the batting order being carried by the Top 3 or specific individuals.

“He's not available for the playoffs. So, we will approach the game as a team. It's not about one individual or three individuals, as you keep reminding me – they’ve had good seasons,” Solanki said. “I'm glad the top order has been scoring most of the runs. That's a good thing. Yes, it means the middle order has sometimes not had the opportunity to bat. But when they have played, I think they've actually given a good account of themselves,” he added.