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Gill and Rashid Shine as Gujarat Titans Dominate KKR in IPL 2025 Clash
The Gujarat Titans reaffirmed their dominance in the IPL 2025 with a comprehensive 39-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders. With an all-round performance, GT sealed their sixth win in eight games and retained the top position in the points table.
GT’s Top Order Fires Again: Gill and Sudharsan Lead the Charge
Powerplay: A Cautious Yet Steady Start
Despite a slow surface at Eden Gardens, Gujarat Titans opened cautiously. The team scored 45 runs in the Powerplay without losing any wickets. Both openers—Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan—played risk-free cricket early on. KKR’s spin option in the form of Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy tried to restrict scoring, but Gill’s aggressive strokeplay in the latter overs gave GT the momentum.
Middle Overs: Momentum Shifts with Gill and Sudharsan
Shubman Gill took charge in the middle overs, reaching his half-century in just 34 balls. He swept and cut his way to dominance against KKR’s spinners, notably Moeen Ali. Sudharsan was equally impressive, bringing up his fifty in 33 balls. Their 114-run opening partnership laid a solid foundation.
Jos Buttler’s explosive cameo added further energy. Coming in after Sudharsan’s dismissal in the 13th over, Buttler struck three quick boundaries off Andre Russell and kept the scoring rate high.
Death Overs: GT Push Past 190 Despite Minor Hiccups
Gill accelerated rapidly, scoring his last 29 runs in 12 deliveries before falling on 90. Despite Rahul Tewatia’s quick departure, Buttler ensured the innings didn’t lose pace. Vaibhav Arora’s expensive final over allowed GT to finish at an imposing 198/3, with Buttler unbeaten on 41.
KKR Struggle to Match Gujarat’s Precision
Powerplay: Early Blows Halt Kolkata’s Progress
Chasing 199, KKR lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the very first over. Though Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine found some early boundaries, Narine’s dismissal by Rashid Khan shifted momentum to Gujarat. The scoreboard read 45/2 after six overs—mirroring GT’s score but with two crucial wickets down.
Middle Overs: Gujarat Spinners Apply the Choke
Gujarat’s spinners, led by Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore, kept the run rate in check. Venkatesh Iyer and Rahane couldn’t find boundaries for over five overs, resulting in a mounting required run rate. Though Rahane eventually reached his fifty, his dismissal soon after left KKR with too much to do.
Andre Russell and Rinku Singh attempted a comeback, but the spin-heavy attack and sharp field placements proved too difficult to overcome.
Death Overs: Late Strikes Seal KKR’s Fate
Russell’s dismissal to Rashid Khan was the turning point. Prasidh Krishna then struck twice in one over, removing Ramandeep Singh and Moeen Ali. Although Angkrish Raghuvanshi showed promise with a late cameo, the effort was too little, too late. KKR ended on 159/8, falling 39 runs short.
Key Highlights of the Match
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Shubman Gill’s 90 off 48 was the anchor around which GT built their innings.
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Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna’s identical figures (2-25) played a key role in choking KKR’s chase.
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Jos Buttler’s 41 off 23 balls* helped accelerate the final overs and build a match-winning total.
Read more about Gujarat Titans’ 2025 season performance
What’s Next in IPL 2025?
KKR will look to regroup before facing Punjab Kings on April 26, while Gujarat Titans have a six-day break ahead of their crucial clash against Rajasthan Royals on April 28.
For the official IPL 2025 schedule and points table, visit the IPL official website.
