Data Shorts: Playoffs-bound GT grapple with bowling blues

Rashid Khan, the leading wicket-taker in Men's T20s, has now conceded 31 sixes in IPL 2025, the joint-most in an IPL edition. Mohammed Siraj had seven wickets from 14 overs with the new ball across his first five outings of the tournament, two in 23 overs thereafter. Kagiso Rabada, their third-most expensive pick at the auction, has two wickets in 14 overs to show for.

That, in a nutshell, sums up Gujarat Titans' recurrent bowling struggles in IPL 2025, repeatedly overshadowed by their top-order brilliance and Prasidh Krishna's exploits. As it turns out, having been smashed for 235/2 and 230/5 in their last two league outings, GT are no longer in control of a potential top-two finish.

In eight matches they have bowled first in this year, GT have conceded 198 on average, the third-most among all teams after Rajasthan Royals (211 in 10 matches) and Lucknow Supergiants (205 in four matches). It's been a major downgrade for them, as this now makes it their worst edition on the bowling front in terms of averages and economy rate.

GT bowling in the IPL (by edition)

GT conceded 243/5 in their tournament opener against PBKS, but their bowlers made a telling impact thereafter as they won four on the bounce. However, it has been a downward slide since, with