Shubman Gill’s Match-winning 90 Powers Gujarat Titans to Victory Over KKR

With a proper revenge against the Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Titans secured a 39-run victory in their IPL 2025 encounter at Eden Gardens on April 21. The match was crucial for both sides, with Gujarat Titans aiming to maintain their dominance at the top of the table and Kolkata Knight Riders needing a win to stay in playoff contention.

Gujarat Titans’ Commanding Batting Performance

Gujarat Titans won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that paid off handsomely as their top order fired on all cylinders. The opening pair of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill got the team off to a solid start. Sudharsan, playing a steady hand, scored 52 runs off 36 balls, including 6 boundaries and 1 six, at a strike rate of 144.44. His partnership with Gill laid a strong foundation for the team, with the first 50 runs coming in just 6.1 overs.

Shubman Gill, who has been in excellent form, continued his fine run with the bat, accumulating a brilliant 90 runs off 55 balls. His knock was studded with 10 fours and 3 sixes, at a striking rate of 163.63. Gill’s contribution was the highlight of the innings, and his knock, combined with Sudharsan’s solid start, put Gujarat in a commanding position. The duo added 114 runs for the first wicket, which set the stage for the middle order. 

However, the Titans’ innings encountered a brief hiccup when Shubman Gill was dismissed for 90 in the 17.5 over, and Rahul Tewatia followed soon after, dismissed for a duck by Harshit Rana. But, Jos Buttler and M Shahrukh Khan ensured Gujarat Titans reached a competitive total. Buttler contributed with a quickfire 41 not out from 23 balls, while Khan added 11 not out from 5 balls, pushing the team to a final total of 198/3 in their 20 overs.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Struggle With the Chase

Set a challenging target of 199 runs, Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase started in disastrous fashion. They lost their opening wicket with just 2 runs on the board when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed lbw by Mohammed Siraj for just 1 run. Sunil Narine followed soon after, caught by Tewatia off Rashid Khan for 17 runs. At 43/2 in the 5.3 overs, KKR’s chances of chasing down the target were rapidly fading.

Ajinkya Rahane, the KKR captain, attempted to steady the ship, playing a crucial knock of 50 runs from 36 balls, including 5 fours and a six. He shared a brief 41-run stand with Venkatesh Iyer, but Iyer was dismissed for just 14 runs off 19 balls by Sai Kishore. KKR’s middle order continued to struggle, with Rinku Singh (17), Andre Russell (21), and Ramandeep Singh (1) failing to make substantial contributions.

KKR’s hopes of a late revival were dashed as their wickets continued to fall. The loss of key players left the team at 91/5 after 12.3 overs. Although Angkrish Raghuvanshi made a brief cameo, scoring 27 runs off 13 balls, his efforts couldn’t prevent the inevitable collapse. KKR finished their innings at 159/8 in 20 overs, falling short by 39 runs.

The Gujarat Titans’ bowlers were sharp and disciplined throughout the chase. Mohammed Siraj was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 1 wicket for 32 runs in his 4 overs. His early breakthrough removed Gurbaz, setting the tone for the innings. Rashid Khan, the Afghan leg-spinner, also played a key role, picking up 2 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs, including the crucial dismissals of Narine and Russell.

Washington Sundar was effective in his 3-over spell, taking 1 wicket for 36 runs. Sai Kishore was also impactful, conceding just 19 runs and picking up 1 wicket in his 3 overs. Prasidh Krishna and Ishant Sharma added the finishing touches, with Krishna picking up 2 wickets for 25 runs and Sharma contributing 1 wicket for 18 runs.

For KKR, the match was defined by a lack of partnerships. While Rahane’s 50 and Raghuvanshi’s quick-fire 27 stood out, the lack of substantial contributions from the middle and lower order made the chase difficult. The wickets fell at regular intervals, and the KKR batsmen couldn’t sustain any momentum against the disciplined Gujarat bowling attack.

What’s Happening in the Points Table?

In the aftermath of Gujarat Titans’ 39-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 match on April 21, the points table for the two teams has shifted significantly. Gujarat Titans, who have been in stellar form this season, now sit comfortably at the top of the points table with 12 points from 8 matches, having won 6 and lost 2. Their impressive Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.104 further strengthens their position, showcasing their dominance in both batting and bowling departments. 

Shubman Gill’s match-winning performance, scoring 90 runs off 55 balls, contributed to Gujarat’s solid total of 198/3, leading them to an easy win over KKR. On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders, despite a promising start to the season, find themselves in the lower half of the table after this loss. They have played 8 matches, winning 3 and losing 5, leaving them with 6 points. Their NRR has improved slightly to +0.212, but the team still has much to work on if they are to stay in the playoff race. KKR’s inability to chase down a target of 199, finishing with 159/8, further highlights the challenges they face moving forward.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Day

When it comes to the TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game, one has to name the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane, which was a turning point in the match. Rahane, who was captaining the side, had looked solid at the crease, scoring 50 runs off 36 balls at a strike rate of 138.88. He was steering the innings and seemed poised to take his team to a competitive total. However, his departure in the 12.4 over proved to be a significant moment. Rahane, after trying to accelerate the innings, went for a big shot against Washington Sundar. Sundar, bowling wide and quick outside off, invited Rahane to reach for the ball. 

Rahane, who had jumped out of the crease, failed to connect cleanly and, in the process, left himself vulnerable. Jos Buttler, the wicketkeeper, was quick to react, and with a swift stumping, Rahane was back in the pavilion for 50. This wicket reduced the score to 91/4, a critical point where momentum shifted in favor of the opposition. Rahane’s wicket was pivotal as it broke a promising partnership and put pressure on the middle and lower order. From there, the team struggled to recover, losing quick wickets, and finishing with a modest total of 159/8.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

For the contention of the TCNI’s Hero of the Day, we have got Sai Sudharsan, whose brilliant innings played a crucial role in Gujarat Titans’ victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 39th match of IPL 2025. Sudharsan scored a match-changing 52 off 36 balls, anchoring the Titans’ innings after an early wicket. His knock included 6 fours and 1 six, as he set the platform for a challenging total of 198/3. Sudharsan’s ability to find the boundary regularly, with a strike rate of 144.44, showcased his aggressive yet calculated approach. 

His partnership with Shubman Gill, which added 64 runs for the first wicket, provided Gujarat with a solid foundation. Sudharsan has been in sensational form, accumulating five fifties in his last eight IPL innings, underlining his consistency and ability to perform under pressure at the top of the order. His knack for playing match-defining knocks, combined with his solid technique and versatility, has made him a vital player in Gujarat’s lineup. His recent run of form has not only solidified his spot but has also propelled him into the spotlight as one of the key players for the Titans this season.