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- KKR vs GT Highlights, IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans crush Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs, consolidate top spot
KKR vs GT Highlights, IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans crush Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs, consolidate top spot
Sudharsan’s knock, which featured six fours and a six, saw him reclaim the Orange Cap, becoming the first batter this season to cross 400 runs. Though Jos Buttler couldn’t replicate his previous heroics, his unbeaten 41 off 23 ensured GT posted a par-plus score without taking excessive risks on a slow track.
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Chasing 199, KKR faltered early as Mohammed Siraj removed Gurbaz in the first over. Rashid Khan (2/25) returned to form by dismissing Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, while Prasidh Krishna (2/25) dealt twin blows in the 17th over to crush KKR’s hopes. Spinners Sai Kishore (1/19) and Washington Sundar (1/36) strangled the hosts in the middle overs, during which KKR endured a 36-ball boundary drought.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane fought with a 50 off 36 but lacked support, with Venkatesh Iyer (14) and Rinku Singh failing to provide a late push. KKR ended at 159/8, suffering their fifth defeat in eight matches.
With this clinical win, GT consolidated their top spot on the points table with 12 points from eight games. The defending champions, meanwhile, find themselves under pressure as their playoff hopes take a hit with continued inconsistency, especially in home games.
Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, In-between length, around off, Gill takes a step forward and drops it down to cover.
Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, On a dragged length, on top of off, a hint of inswing, Shubman Gill stands tall and defends it into the pitch.
Vaibhav Arora to Sai Sudharsan, On the pads, slightly fuller length, Sai tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single to get off the mark.
Vaibhav Arora to Sai Sudharsan, WIDE! Gujarat Titans are underway with an extra! Arora bowls it on a length and pretty wide outside off, Sai Sudharsan leaves it alone. Called a wide.
In all readiness for the action to get underway, here in the City of Joy, Kolkata. And as per the tradition, at Eden Gardens, the bell has rung, which marks the commencement of the match. This time, by the former India left-arm pacer, and the current GT head coach, Ashish Nehra. The umpires have made their way out. The players of Kolkata Knight Riders now spread out to their respective fielding positions. The pair of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill walk out to the pitch to open for GT. Vaibhav Arora, with the new ball, is raring to go. Off we go...
Jos Buttler of the Gujarat Titans is up for a flash interview. On that match-winning knock against Delhi Capitals, he says that he always tries to bat till the end and work back from there to the present moment. Also mentions that there were crucial partnerships as well. Says with Sherfane on the other side, they complemented each other pretty well. On Sai Sudharsan, he tells that he has been watching him bat in the nets from day one, and expresses that he was blown away by his talent. Adds that his work ethic and dedication are superb. Mentions that he is a classical player and hits the ball really hard. Further wants him to be consistent. On the team's position in the top three, he says they have spoken a lot about building crucial partnerships and assessing the conditions. Also says that in T20 cricket, you need to take risks and push the game at certain points. Also admits it won't work out always, but they have some in-form guys who can take the game deep. On the team bonding, he says the environment is quite relaxed in the team, as it is going good for them.
The skipper of the Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill, says that the dew is not going to be around as he thinks, and hopefully, they will post a good total in the first inning. Highlights the biggest reason for their success has been their bowling, as bowlers have picked wickets, and they have sustained the pressure. Admits that Rashid Khan is a great player in all departments, and any captain would love to have him on the field as he brings a different energy.
The captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane, says that they will bowl first and reckons that the pitch looks a bit on the drier side. Adds that they want to get an idea of how it plays, and it is generally a chasing ground. Mentions that they have made a few errors, but the players have been working hard, and there is enough motivation for everyone. Informs that they have a couple of changes with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Moeen Ali coming in.
Impact player nominations by Kolkata Knight Riders - Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell and Luvnith Sisodia.
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) (In for Quinton de Kock), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali (In for Anrich Nortje), Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Impact player nominations by Gujarat Titans - Ishant Sharma, Karim Janat, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat and Arshad Khan.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Sherfane Rutherford (In for Arshad Khan), Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar (In for Ishant Sharma), Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
TOSS UPDATE - Jinx gives it a flip. Heads is the call from Shubman Gill, but it lands as a Tail. Kolkata Knight Riders have won the toss and they have elected to BOWL first.
KKR suffered suffered an inexplicable meltdown in their previous match, getting bowled out for 95 while chasing 112 against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. However, the return of Abhishek Nayar will surely boost the struggling KKR outfit.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Titans under the leadership of Shubman Gill, have lost only twice this season and are currently placed top of the points table.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (Captain), Jos Buttler (wk), B Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Arshad Khan, Jayant Yadav, Nishant Sindhu, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gerald Coetzee, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, Gurnoor Brar and Karim Janat.
The Titans have lost just twice this season and boast a bowling unit in red-hot form. Prasidh Krishna leads the charge with 14 wickets at an average of 14.35, while R Sai Kishore (11 wickets) and Mohammed Siraj offer additional firepower.
On the batting front, B Sai Sudharsan (365 runs) is chasing the Orange Cap, with Jos Buttler anchoring the middle at a stellar average of 63. Lower down the order, Sherfane Rutherford has delivered key blows as the finisher.
KKR will need more than just hope to halt Gujarat’s charge.
Veterans like Andre Russell (34 runs in 5 innings) and Rinku Singh (116 runs) have failed to light up the tournament. Meanwhile, openers Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine have blown hot and cold.
KKR’s discontent with the Eden Gardens pitch preparation — especially the extra grass cover not trimmed before the match — adds to their frustration, as they feel the “home advantage” has been compromised.
But as seen in IPL 2014, where a collapse triggered a nine-match winning streak, setbacks can sometimes spark magic.
The former India assistant coach — sacked by the BCCI even before his exit was formally announced — has resumed working with some of KKR’s key batters. Nayar’s homecoming may be the boost Kolkata need, especially as he has begun focusing on vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer and Ramandeep Singh, both of whom have been inconsistent.
Iyer, bought for a hefty Rs 23.75 crore, has mustered just 121 runs, while Ramandeep has scored only 29 in six innings. The team is banking on Nayar to fix these cracks before it’s too late.
That performance in Mullanpur was not an isolated incident but symptomatic of a deeper malaise in their batting unit.
While Kolkata still have six points from seven games, their road to the playoffs now demands a minimum of five wins from the next seven matches.
The team’s inability to string together consistent performances with the bat has become a worrying trend, raising questions about player form, confidence, and tactical execution.
KKR’s chase faltered early as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over. Rashid Khan, returning to form with 2/25, claimed the key wicket of Andre Russell, while Prasidh Krishna (2/25) ended any hopes of a late surge. KKR could only muster 159/8, suffering their third loss at home and fifth overall.
Ajinkya Rahane (50 off 36) and Venkatesh Iyer (14 off 19) struggled to accelerate as GT’s spinners tightened the grip in the middle overs, with a 36-ball boundary drought stalling their momentum. Sudharsan, Buttler (41 off 23), and the spinners delivered a clinical all-round show that saw GT notch up their sixth win in eight matches, maintaining their top spot in the standings.
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