Gujarat Titans (GT) edged past Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by five wickets in the 25th match of IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After being decided to bat first, KKR managed to score 180 runs in 20 overs. Kagiso Rabada (3/29 in 4 overs) and Mohammed Siraj (2/23 in 4 overs) struck early, putting KKR under pressure. As a result, KKR lost three wickets in the powerplay.
Cameron Green and Rovman Powell added 55 runs for the fourth wicket. Green fought hard and played a superb knock of 79 runs off 55 balls before getting out on the last ball of the innings. A short cameo from Ramandeep Singh helped KKR reach the 180-run mark. Ashok Sharma also picked up two wickets for Gujarat Titans.
While chasing, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill gave Gujarat Titans a blazing start, adding 57 runs in 5.1 overs. When Sudharsan got out in the sixth over, Jos Buttler joined Gill at the crease. Gill built useful partnerships with Buttler and later with Washington Sundar. When Gill got out in the 17th over, Gujarat Titans were at 158/4. Shubman Gill scored 86 runs off 50 balls. Glenn Phillips then took charge and brought his team closer to the target. GT needed five runs to win in the final over.
Ramandeep Singh bowled the last over and dismissed Glenn Phillips on the first delivery, giving KKR a slight hope. However, Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia kept their composure and finished the chase with two balls to spare. Varun Chakravarthy (2/34 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler for KKR, while Ramandeep Singh also picked up a crucial wicket. However, their efforts fell short as KKR lost the match.
With this win, Gujarat Titans now have six points from five matches. On the other hand, KKR are still winless after six matches and remain at the bottom of the table.
KKR’s Poor Decisions Hurt Them Early
KKR made two key errors before the match even began. First, they left out Finn Allen, their most explosive top-order batter. Then, they chose to bat first despite conditions likely to favour chasing due to expected dew.
Throughout most of the match, KKR looked second-best.
Cameron Green’s Mixed Knock
There was only one phase where KKR dominated. Between the 12th and 14th overs, they smashed 52 runs. Cameron Green led that charge with aggressive strokeplay.
However, his innings of 79 off 55 balls turned out to be inconsistent. He started slowly, scoring just 27 runs from his first 29 balls. Later, he lost momentum again, managing only four runs from his last 11 balls.
Meanwhile, wickets kept falling at the other end. KKR collapsed from 147/4 in the 15th over to 180 all out.
GT Pacers Control the Powerplay
Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada set the tone early. Both bowlers generated swing and seam movement, making life difficult for KKR batters. Siraj dismissed Ajinkya Rahane with a sharp outswinger. Rabada struck twice, removing Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Tim Seifert.
KKR managed just 37 runs in the powerplay. It was one of the lowest scores in IPL 2026.
Green Fights Alone as KKR Collapse
Green struggled initially but later attacked with confidence. He used his reach effectively, especially against Rashid Khan, and shifted momentum briefly.
At 147/4, KKR looked set for a 200-plus total. But then came a dramatic collapse.
Green remained stuck at one end while wickets fell rapidly. KKR lost five wickets for just 26 runs. When Green finally got strike again, Prasidh Krishna’s accurate yorkers restricted him.
In the final over, Green failed to finish strongly and was dismissed on the last ball. His knock ended on a frustrating note.
Gill Lays the Perfect Foundation
Shubman Gill started the chase in style. He attacked early, scoring 34 runs off just 15 balls in the powerplay. Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler also chipped in with quick runs. GT raced to 71/1 in six overs, putting the match firmly in their control.
Gill then slowed down, playing a calculated innings. He scored 52 runs from 35 balls after the powerplay, ensuring stability.
GT Stutter But Get Over the Line
Despite a strong start, GT’s middle order showed some weakness. Washington Sundar and Glenn Phillips struggled to score freely. When Gill got out in the 17th over, the match briefly became interesting. Boundaries dried up, and pressure built.
GT needed five runs in the final over. With KKR’s main bowlers finished, Ramandeep Singh bowled the last over. He even picked up a wicket early. Still, GT managed to chase down the target with just two balls to spare.
Gujarat Titans followed their tried-and-tested strategy to perfection. Their fast bowlers kept Kolkata Knight Riders to a modest total. Then, their top order, led by Shubman Gill, chased it down steadily. In the end, KKR would feel they fell short by at least 20 runs. Their collapse and cautious batting in key moments cost them dearly. GT, on the other hand, executed their plan well but showed signs of vulnerability in the middle order. As a result, KKR remained winless after six matches this season. Stay tuned with JUSZNEWS for regular updates!