Aakash Chopra, a former player for India, believes that the Gujarat Titans’ (GT) IPL 2025 defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) revealed a little bit of their over-reliance on their top three. In two of their last three games, none of their top three hitters have reached the half-century mark, he noted.
On Thursday, May 22, in Match 64 of the IPL 2025 at Ahmedabad, LSG set GT a target of 236 runs. Jos Buttler (33 off 18), Shubman Gill (35 off 20), and Sai Sudharsan (21 off 16) all contributed respectably, but none of them had a significant impact as the home team lost by 33 runs after being limited to 202/9.
The former India opener said in a video posted to his “Aakash Chopra” YouTube account that GT’s much-discussed over-reliance on their top three was made clear in their IPL 2025 matchup with LSG.
“None of their top three has scored a fifty in two of their last three games. It happened against Mumbai, and it has happened here now against Lucknow. So, the problem we were discussing has come to the fore. The wound is being scratched, and that is going to be a bit of a problem.”
Aakash Chopra
However, Aakash Chopra believed that the presence of Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford among the runs should benefit the team.
“However, the positive thing was that both Sherfane Rutherford and Shahrukh Khan were seen in form. As soon as Kusal Mendis comes, he will bat at No. 3, so the No. 4 and No. 5 roles become very important. Shahrukh Khan scored a fifty. He has the ability to hit big shots, and that’s why he was retained. Sherfane Rutherford also played well until he was there.”
Aakash Chopra
The IPL 2025 match between GT and LSG saw Shahrukh Khan smash 57 runs off 29 deliveries. He and Sherfane Rutherford (38 off 22) combined 86 runs for the fourth wicket, but they were unable to get their team across the finish line.
“Rahul Tewatia hasn’t scored runs” – Aakash Chopra on GT’s other issues after IPL 2025 loss vs LSG
As the Gujarat Titans prepare for the IPL 2025 playoffs, Rahul Tewatia’s (2 off 3) failure is another problem, according to Aakash Chopra in the same video.
“However, there is another bad news. Rahul Tewatia hasn’t scored runs. If you leave aside an odd match where he played a few good shots in the end, the entire season has been absolutely cold. Rahul Tewatia’s season being cold is not good news. I hope he comes to the party. That is going to be a big question.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator also mentioned Rashid Khan, who has been found wanting this season and was torn apart, particularly by Mitchell Marsh, in Thursday’s game.
“There is another concern. It is Rashid Khan’s form. Rashid Khan has proved totally cold this year, and he bowled only two overs this time. 36 runs in two overs. Mitchell Marsh destroyed him. Where have we seen such an ineffective Rashid Khan? His bowling was so bad that he wasn’t even given his four overs.”
Aakash Chopra
Rashid Khan was expensive and wicketless, as he gave away 36 runs from his two overs against LSG. Afghanistan’s spinner has managed eight wickets while bowling at 9.38 runs per over in his 13 innings this season.
