Gujarat Titans’ INR 2.60 Crore Signing Sherfane Rutherford Hits Match-Winning 113
BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis (AP) — The Gujarat Titans bought Sherfane Rutherford for INR 2.60 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He shone with the bat. He scored 113 runs off just 80 balls. His innings led the West Indies to a thrilling five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first ODI on Sunday. They won with 14 balls to spare.
Rutherford’s Stunning Knock Steals the Show
Rutherford’s innings of eight sixes and seven fours were vital for the West Indies. At Warner Park in Basseterre, he was finally out in the 47th over. Soumya Sarkar dismissed him, caught by Nahid Rana, with seven runs left to chase. West Indies successfully reached the target, finishing on 295-5.
The all-rounder’s display shows why the Gujarat Titans paid INR 2.60 crore for him at the IPL auction.
Bangladesh Sets a Challenging Target
Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first and posted a competitive 294-6 in their 50 overs. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the effort with a patient 74 off 101 balls. Opener Tanzid Hasan contributed a quickfire 60 from 60 balls, smashing three sixes and six fours.
Mahmudullah, with 50 off 44 balls, and Jaker Ali, with 48 off 40, also contributed. Both Mahmudullah and Ali hit three sixes each in the later overs. Their efforts helped Bangladesh to a solid total.
Romario Shepherd was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, claiming 3-51 from his 10 overs.
West Indies’ Chase Anchored by Captain Shai Hope
In reply, the West Indies lost early wickets and were 100-3 after 23 overs. However, captain Shai Hope held the innings with 86 runs off 88 balls, including four sixes. Hope’s dismissal in the 38th over left the West Indies at 193-4.
Rutherford’s fireworks and Greaves’ 41 not out won the match.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Effort Falls Short
Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies’ middle-order firepower. Five bowlers shared the wickets, but none could stop Rutherford’s onslaught.
The second ODI in this three-match series is on Tuesday at the same venue. The final match is on Thursday.
Bangladesh will look to bounce back. They entered the series with high confidence after a historic Test win in the Caribbean—their first in 15 years.
Key Match Stats:
- Sherfane Rutherford (WI): 113 runs (80 balls), 8 sixes, 7 fours
- Shai Hope (WI): 86 runs (88 balls), 4 sixes
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN): 74 runs (101 balls)
- Romario Shepherd (WI): (3-51 in 10 overs)
