I’ve been a cricket nut for as long as I can remember—those late-night IPL marathons, the thrill of a last-ball finish, the debates with mates over a cold drink. There’s something about this game that hooks you, isn’t there? And as IPL 2025 kicks off today, March 20, with Gujarat Titans facing Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, I can’t stop thinking about one question: who’s the real key to GT’s hopes this season? The skipper, Shubman Gill, with his silky cover drives and captaincy nous? Or Jos Buttler, the English dynamo who’s traded Rajasthan Royals pink for GT’s teal? Call me old-fashioned, but I’m leaning toward Buttler. Here’s why I reckon he might just outshine Gill as the linchpin for an epic Gujarat Titans triumph.
A Tale of Two Titans
Let’s set the scene. Gujarat Titans have had a rollercoaster ride since bursting onto the IPL stage in 2022. Champions in their debut year under Hardik Pandya, runners-up in 2023, and then a stumble to eighth in 2024 with Gill at the helm. It’s been a wild few years, and now, with a revamped squad for 2025, they’re eyeing a return to the top. Gill, retained for INR 16.5 crore, is the poster boy—World No. 1 ODI batter, Orange Cap winner in 2023 with 890 runs, and a leader growing into his role. Then there’s Buttler, snapped up for INR 15.75 crore at the auction, a T20 legend with seven IPL hundreds and a strike rate that makes bowlers sweat.
On paper, they’re a dream opening pair. Gill’s elegance meets Buttler’s brutality—a yin-yang combo that could dismantle any attack. But dig a little deeper, and I can’t shake the feeling that Buttler’s the one GT can’t afford to misfire. Gill’s a star, no doubt, but Buttler’s experience, versatility, and sheer game-changing ability might just tip the scales.
The Case for Buttler: A Decade of IPL Mastery
I still remember Buttler’s IPL debut back in 2016 with Mumbai Indians. He was this wiry, fresh-faced Englishman who looked like he’d wandered into the wrong league. Fast forward nearly a decade, and he’s a T20 titan—3,637 runs, an average of 40+, and a strike rate of 149.62 that’s only bettered by Chris Gayle among openers with 3,000+ runs. Seven hundreds, too—only Virat Kohli has more. That’s not just stats; that’s a legacy.
What gets me about Buttler is how he’s evolved. With Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2024, he turned into a powerplay monster. Take 2022—863 runs, four centuries, the Orange Cap, and RR’s charge to the final. I was at a friend’s place for that 106* against RCB, and we were screaming as he scooped Jasprit Bumrah for six. It wasn’t just skill; it was audacity. Even last year, down on form with 359 runs, he pulled off that insane 107* to chase 224 against KKR at Eden Gardens. That’s the Buttler magic—when he’s on, no total’s safe.
Now, at GT, he’s not just an opener; he’s confirmed as the wicketkeeper, too. Shubman Gill said it himself at the pre-tournament presser: “Jos Buttler is picked as a wicketkeeper.” That’s huge. With Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra as backup options, GT could’ve gone another way, but they’re banking on Buttler’s gloves. It’s a throwback to his early RR days before Sanju Samson took over, and it shows how much they trust him to balance the XI.
Why Buttler Trumps Gill for GT’s Triumph
Don’t get me wrong—Gill’s a gem. His 890 runs in 2023 were a masterclass, and that 129 in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians had me jumping off my couch. But here’s the rub: Gill’s had his moments, yet 2024 was patchy—426 runs, one hundred, and a team that couldn’t find rhythm. As captain, he’s still finding his feet, and at 25, he’s got time to grow. Buttler, at 34, brings a different beast altogether—10 years of IPL know-how, a knack for big games, and a hunger to prove himself after a tough 2024 internationally.
First off, there’s the experience factor. Buttler’s played 110 IPL matches—nearly double Gill’s 60-odd. He’s faced every bowler, every situation, and come out on top more often than not. Leading England to the 2022 T20 World Cup, captaining RR to a final—it’s battle-hardened nous GT desperately need after last year’s slump. Gill’s leadership is promising, but it’s raw. When the pressure’s on—say, a must-win chase against CSK or a playoff crunch—Buttler’s the guy I’d want steering the ship, even if he’s not wearing the armband.
Then there’s the powerplay edge. GT’s 2024 struggles often stemmed from slow starts—Gill and Wriddhiman Saha couldn’t set the tone consistently. Buttler changes that. Among IPL openers with 3,000+ runs, only Gayle strikes faster. He’s got 2,000+ powerplay runs lifetime, and his ability to take down new-ball bowlers—like he did to Bumrah or Trent Boult—gives GT a launchpad. Gill’s brilliant at building innings, but Buttler’s the one who can blow the game open in six overs. With Ahmedabad’s flat tracks and dew factor, that early dominance could be gold.
And let’s talk versatility. Buttler’s not just an opener—he’s kept wickets, batted at three or four when needed, and even floated down the order in T20Is. GT assistant coach Parthiv Patel nailed it: “We needed a wicketkeeper and a player with experience, someone who can bat anywhere from No. 1 to No. 4, and Jos perfectly fits that role.” Gill’s a top-order lock—great at one or two, untested lower down. If GT need flexibility—say, to push Sai Sudharsan up or bring in an extra bowler—Buttler’s the guy who adapts. That’s priceless in a tournament as unpredictable as the IPL.
The Stakes Are Higher for Buttler
Here’s where it gets personal for Jos. After a rough 2024—England’s T20I struggles in India, a Champions Trophy flop, stepping down as white-ball captain—he’s got a point to prove. The IPL’s his chance to silence the doubters, to show he’s still the world’s premier T20 batter. I saw him in the Abu Dhabi T10 recently, smashing fifties like it was nothing, and he looked hungry. For GT, that’s a motivated Buttler—a guy who’ll walk out against Punjab Kings today thinking, “This is my stage.”
Gill, meanwhile, is riding high—fresh off India’s Champions Trophy win, oozing confidence with that 104 against Bangladesh. He’s got less to prove, more to build on. If he has a quiet season—say, 400 runs—GT can still lean on his leadership and youth. But if Buttler flops, with no other proven overseas batter like David Miller (gone) or AB de Villiers in the ranks, GT’s batting feels top-heavy. Sherfane Rutherford and Glenn Phillips are handy, but untested in IPL clutch moments. Buttler’s the glue; without him firing, the whole plan unravels.
The Ahmedabad Factor
Narendra Modi Stadium’s a batter’s paradise—big boundaries, yes, but true pitches and dew that turns second innings into chases galore. Buttler’s got form here—317 runs in eight T20s, including a hundred against RCB in 2022. I was scrolling X the other day, and fans were hyping him up: “Buttler in Ahmedabad is a cheat code.” Gill’s smashed runs here too—104* vs. CSK last year—but Buttler’s powerplay nous and keeping skills give him an edge. With dew nullifying spinners like Rashid Khan later, those early runs off pace could decide games.
Gill’s Brilliance vs. Buttler’s X-Factor
Look, I’m not saying Gill isn’t vital. His 2023 season—three tons, 890 runs—was poetry in motion. He’s the captain, the local hero, the guy who’ll rally the troops. But his game’s about consistency—anchoring, converting starts into fifties and hundreds. Buttler’s the X-factor—the guy who turns 150 into 200, who chases 224 when all seems lost. Gill sets the table; Buttler brings the feast. And in a tournament where one innings can swing a campaign, that unpredictability might just be GT’s ticket.
I keep replaying that KKR chase in my head. Gill wouldn’t have played that knock—he’d have paced it, built it, maybe fallen short. Buttler didn’t care about the odds; he just swung. GT’s 2024 season lacked that spark—too many “almosts,” not enough “wows.” Buttler’s the wow. With Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Shahrukh Khan around him, he’s got the platform to go berserk.
The Counterpoint: Why Gill Still Matters
Okay, let’s flip it. Gill’s the captain—his form sets the tone. That 2023 Orange Cap wasn’t luck; it was a statement. At 25, he’s hungrier than ever, and post-Champions Trophy, he’s brimming with belief. If he fires—say, 600 runs—GT’s batting flows naturally. Plus, his captaincy’s evolving—he’s got Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada to lean on, a bowling attack that could win games on its own. Buttler’s a gamble if his form dips; Gill’s the safer bet.
But here’s my pushback: Gill’s ceiling is high, but predictable. We know he’ll score, lead, inspire. Buttler’s ceiling? Limitless. One freak knock—like that 148* for RR in 2019—can turn a season. GT don’t just need runs; they need moments. And Buttler’s the moment-maker.
My Verdict: Buttler’s the Key
As I sit here, March 20, 2025, hours from GT’s opener, I’m buzzing. Gill’s the heart of this team—steady, reliable, the future. But Buttler? He’s the pulse—the jolt that could shock GT back to glory. If he explodes—600 runs, a couple of tons—I see them in the final. If he falters, even Gill’s brilliance might not be enough. It’s a gut call, forged from years of watching this crazy league. Jos Buttler, with his gloves on and bat blazing, might just be the difference between good and great for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.
Also Read –
Travis Head Set To Dominate IPL 2025 After Explosive 2024 Season With SRH