Former Pakistan player Basit Ali explained where the Gujarat Titans (GT) lost their first game of the ongoing IPL 2025 season to Punjab Kings (PBKS) as well. Batting first, Punjab Kings smashed a massive total of 243/5 and in reply, Gujarat tried to get close but eventually ended on
232/5, falling short by 11 runs as well.

Talking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali said, “When there is a target of 244 then you need to have at least 70-80 runs in the powerplay. Gujarat made a mistake there and the left-right combination did not work. They scored 61 runs and lost only one wicket. They lost by 11 runs in the end. It was important for Gill to stay there as he was batting well. Sai Sudarshan played well and he has lot of power. He played well but why did they not send Buttler to open. He took a lot of balls and then scored runs.”

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“Rutherford came in then and played well but later missed a few balls due to which they lost this game. Gujarat lost the match in the 15th, 16th, and 17th over. Vyshak gave 5 runs in the 15th over and then again 5 later. They lost because of these overs,” Basit Ali again shared.

Basit Ali also praised Shreyas Iyer for his selflessness and leadership in his first IPL match for Punjab Kings as well.

“Shreyas Iyer bulldozed Gujarat’s bowling. It was a big ground. It was not a small ground and it was a big achievement on this ground. Shashank Singh also hit 44 runs off 16 balls. Iyer also showed his captaincy by saying you score and do not worry about my century. Iyer could have easily made a hundred if he wanted to. But he told franchise first. This 97 is better than a hundred. It will come in the records. Brilliant captaincy as well. Punjab were 73/1 in the first six overs. Iyer has been in form since the Champions Trophy. He cashed it with ease. He hit big sixes and hit cricketing shots. Pure batting,” Basit Ali concluded.