Rutherford Finds His Footing with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025
In a conversation with The Hawk, West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford expressed his satisfaction with his role in the Gujarat Titans (GT) team, stating that his responsibilities in the side are similar to what the think-tank wanted from him. This sentiment is echoed in his impressive performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Rutherford, who has previously played for Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has found a sense of belonging with GT. His statistics in the current season are a testament to his form, with 267 runs in nine innings at an average of 38.14 and a strike-rate of 160.84. These numbers represent his best-ever showing in the tournament since his debut in 2019.
One of the key factors contributing to Rutherford’s success has been his ability to adapt to different situations. Despite the team’s top-order trio of Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler scoring nearly 77% of the side’s runs in IPL 2025, Rutherford has managed to make significant contributions whenever needed. His match-winning 43 against Delhi Capitals and a crucial 28 in a narrow rain-hit win over Mumbai Indians are examples of his ability to step up when required.
According to Rutherford, "Most teams are about combination. Sometimes you go to some team and in the combination you don’t get to fit in. But with GT, my role is very similar to what they wanted and I fit in well in GT." This sentiment highlights the importance of team dynamics and the clarity of roles within a team.
Rutherford’s comments were made in a virtual interaction organised by GT on Friday, where he shared his thoughts on the team’s current situation. The team suffered a setback when they lost by 33 runs to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Ahmedabad on Thursday. However, Rutherford’s 86-run stand with fellow all-rounder M Shahrukh Khan for the fourth wicket ensured that GT crossed 200, thanks to their middle-order batters.
Although Rutherford did not get a chance to bowl due to the impact player ruling, he felt that the middle order getting some batting time was a vital opportunity ahead of the playoffs. As per The Hawk, Rutherford stated, "I think the communication has been clear from the starting of the tournament. They have told what I would have been doing. So for me, it’s just to just enjoy it. Whatever role has been given to me, I’m willing to take it as I’m a team person."
The Hawk also reported that Rutherford emphasized the importance of trusting the work that the team has been doing. He said, "So it’s just important for us as players to trust the work that we have been doing and to just be clear, and have that mindset where whatever opportunity comes, we’re going to look to take it, and face the challenge."
In conclusion, Rutherford’s performances in IPL 2025 have been a significant boost to GT’s campaign. As quoted by The Hawk, Rutherford summarised his approach, "I think that’s what we did well yesterday. We didn’t get over the line. But as I said, as a team, we win together, we lose together. There’s a lot of positive that as a team, we’re going to take our best game and look to move forward."
As The Hawk reported, GT will look to regroup and prepare for their next challenge, starting with their last home game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday afternoon. With Rutherford in good form and the team’s middle order showing signs of improvement, GT will look to make a strong push for a top-two finish and a spot in Qualifier 1.
