WATCH: Shubman Gill plays picture perfect straight drive off Jofra Archer in RR vs GT game

Gujarat Titans (GT) openers made a strong star to their IPL 2025 game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday night. Riyan Parag won the toss and put the Titans into bat at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. GT skipper Shubman Gill stole the show with the bat early in the game as he attacked the RR bowlers right from the word go. 

Nothing sweeter than a straight drive like that! 🏏

Absolute elegance from Shubman Gill.

Watch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/GeTHelSNLF #IPLonJioStar 👉 #RRvGT | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/yDLx9a1n7c

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 28, 2025

In the third ball of the fourth over, Archer bowled a half-volley to the batter. Shubman Gill didn’t let the easy chance go as he pulled out the straight drive as the ball rocketed to the fence for a four. None of the RR fielders could move as the ball was hit with great power and precision against a bowler who has been in top form in the last few games. 

Rajasthan Royals made two changes to their side as Maheesh Theekshana and Yudhvir Singh came in for Fazalhaq Farooqi and Tushar Deshpande. The visitors made one change giving Karim Janat his IPL debut in place of Sherfane Rutherford. Win on Monday will propel GT to top of the IPL points table. 

Gujarat Titans get off to brisk start 

Having put into bat first, GT got off to a great start as their openers added 93 for the first wicket. Shimron Hetmyer dropped an easy catch in the second over of the game to give Sai Sudharsan early lease of life. By the end of two overs, GT were 17 for no loss as both the batters began to score runs with ease. 

The introduction of Yudhvir Singh Charak in the third over saw 10 runs being scored as Shubman Gill closed out the over with two fours. Sandeep Sharma and Maheesh Theekshana got thing back in control for RR as the Titans were placed at 53 for no loss after six overs.

With a single in the third ball of the tenth over bowled by Hasaranga, Titans’ skipper Gill brought up his half-century. The breakthrough finally came in the second ball of the 11th over when Sai Sudharsan holed out to Riyan Parag off Theekshana’s bowling. Sudharsan was out for 39 which came off 30 balls with four boundaries and a six.