Phil Salt sends Mohammed Siraj out of the stadium for colossal 105 meter six during RCB vs GT game at IPL 2025

Phil Salt sends Mohammed Siraj out of the stadium for colossal 105 meter six during RCB vs GT game at IPL 2025

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 continues to deliver high-octane cricketing action, and the 14th match of the season between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was no exception. While the match had its share of dramatic turns, the highlight was undoubtedly Phil Salt’s monstrous 105-meter six off Mohammed Siraj—a moment that left fans in awe and Siraj visibly stunned. However, despite the fireworks from Salt, RCB’s batting collapse handed GT a significant edge in the match.

Gujarat Titans Win the Toss and Opt to Bowl

Winning the toss, GT skipper Shubman Gill opted to bowl first, a decision heavily influenced by the conditions at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With the dew factor expected to play a role in the second innings, GT’s management believed chasing would be the ideal strategy. However, their bowlers had to first contend with a power-packed RCB batting lineup featuring the in-form Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and explosive finishers like Liam Livingstone and Tim David.

Phil Salt Takes Center Stage

Phil Salt, known for his fearless batting, wasted no time in asserting his dominance. The English wicketkeeper-batter has developed a reputation for taking the attack to bowlers early in the innings, and against GT, he did exactly that.

Salt’s Enormous Six Off Mohammed Siraj

The defining moment of Salt’s innings came in the fourth over, when he faced Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj. Bowling at a rapid pace, Siraj sent down a 143.6 km/h short-pitched delivery, expecting to trouble the batter with extra bounce. However, Salt was more than prepared for the challenge.

Reading the length early, he opened his stance slightly, transferred his weight onto the back foot, and swung his bat with full force. The timing was immaculate, the connection was clean, and the result was astonishing—a towering 105-meter six that sailed over the cow corner boundary and landed on the stadium roof.

The crowd erupted in delight, with the ball disappearing into the night sky, showcasing Salt’s raw power. Cameras quickly panned to Siraj, who could only offer a wry smile, acknowledging the sheer brutality of the shot. Even the Gujarat Titans dugout appeared stunned, with head coach Ashish Nehra shaking his head in disbelief.

Siraj’s Perfect Response: The Comeback Wicket

While Salt’s six was a jaw-dropping spectacle, Siraj proved why he remains one of India’s premier pacers. Instead of losing his composure, the speedster bounced back immediately.

The very next delivery, Siraj executed a well-disguised slower ball, catching Salt off guard. The batter, expecting another short-pitched delivery, mistimed his shot, offering a simple catch to mid-wicket. The Gujarat Titans players celebrated the crucial breakthrough, while Siraj gave Salt a knowing look—one that said, “You got me once, but I got you back.”

Salt’s dismissal marked a turning point in RCB’s innings. His explosive 31 off just 14 balls had set the stage for a high total, but the team struggled to capitalize on his early aggression.

RCB’s Batting Collapse: A Dramatic Turn of Events

After Salt’s departure, RCB’s innings took an unexpected nosedive. GT’s bowling attack, led by Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, dismantled the top order.

  • Virat Kohli (4 runs off 7 balls) was caught behind in the second over while attempting a flick against Prasidh Krishna.

  • Devdutt Padikkal (9 off 10) also fell early, mistiming a pull shot off Siraj’s bowling.

  • Rajat Patidar (Captain) (12 off 15), known for his composure, was trapped lbw by Ishant Sharma in the seventh over, leaving RCB reeling at 42/4.

RCB’s hopes of setting a massive total now rested on their middle order, which had to rebuild after the early damage.

Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma Provide Stability

Amidst the early chaos, Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma stepped up to anchor the innings. Livingstone, known for his ability to take on spinners, carefully navigated the middle overs. He avoided unnecessary risks while rotating the strike effectively.

Jitesh Sharma, on the other hand, played an aggressive supporting role. The wicketkeeper-batter took on spinners Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore, using his quick footwork to target gaps.

Their 56-run partnership helped RCB recover, but just when they looked set to accelerate, disaster struck.

Crucial Wickets Shift Momentum Again

  • Jitesh Sharma (33 off 21), looking dangerous, perished while trying to clear the ropes against Rashid Khan. The Afghan spinner cleverly deceived him with a googly, forcing a mistimed lofted shot that landed in the hands of long-off.

  • Liam Livingstone (54 off 40) followed soon after, holing out to deep mid-wicket while attempting to slog-sweep Sai Kishore.

Their dismissals put RCB under pressure again, with GT regaining control.

Tim David’s Late Flourish Saves RCB

With the innings nearing its end, it was Tim David’s late hitting that ensured RCB reached a respectable 169/8 in 20 overs. The Australian big-hitter smashed a couple of sixes in the death overs, lifting the team’s spirits.

David’s 21-run cameo off 11 balls, including a crucial six in the final over, provided RCB with a fighting chance.

GT’s Bowling Performance: A Collective Effort

Gujarat Titans executed their bowling plans to perfection, with each bowler contributing significantly:

  • Mohammed Siraj (2/27 in 4 overs) – Bounced back brilliantly after being hit for a huge six, dismissing Salt and Padikkal.

  • Prasidh Krishna (1/28 in 3 overs) – Provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Kohli.

  • Ishant Sharma (2/33 in 4 overs) – Used his experience to unsettle the middle order.

  • Rashid Khan (1/30 in 4 overs) – Contained runs and took the crucial wicket of Jitesh Sharma.

  • Sai Kishore (1/25 in 3 overs) – Played a key role in dismissing Livingstone.

GT’s disciplined bowling effort restricted RCB from crossing the 180-mark, which could have been a winning total on this surface.

What’s Next? Can GT Chase Down 170?

As Gujarat Titans prepared for their chase, they knew that a target of 170 was tricky but achievable. With their powerful batting lineup featuring Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia, they had the firepower to pull off the chase.

On the other hand, RCB’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood, Reece Topley, and Yuzvendra Chahal, aimed to make early inroads and defend their total.

Final Thoughts: A Match of Highs and Lows

The RCB vs GT clash delivered yet another memorable IPL moment, with Phil Salt’s gigantic six off Siraj becoming the talk of the tournament. However, RCB’s inability to sustain momentum after Salt’s departure exposed their batting fragility, allowing GT to take control.

With the game finely poised at the halfway mark, cricket fans eagerly awaited the chase, wondering if GT could successfully hunt down 170 or if RCB’s bowlers could pull off a thrilling defense.

One thing was certain—the IPL 2025 continues to produce nail-biting encounters and unforgettable moments, and this match was no exception.

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