IPL 2025: All-round Gujarat Titans Secure 39-Run Victory Over Kolkata Knight Riders
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Synopsis
Gujarat Titans delivered a stellar performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, securing a 39-run victory at Eden Gardens. With Shubman Gill's impressive 90 and a disciplined bowling attack, GT remains at the top of the IPL 2025 points table. This match highlights their strategic gameplay and resilience in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Gujarat Titans maintained their top position in the IPL 2025 points table.
- Shubman Gill scored a pivotal 90 runs, showcasing his batting prowess.
- The team successfully restricted KKR to 159 runs, demonstrating their strong bowling attack.
- B Sai Sudharsan emerged as the leading run-scorer of the tournament.
- GT's approach was marked by calmness and strategic gameplay.
Kolkata, April 21 (NationPress) Gujarat Titans (GT) were rewarded for their composed and low-risk batting strategy, achieving a 39-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Monday. On a sluggish pitch, GT posted a commendable score of 198/3 and successfully limited a struggling KKR to 159/8, thereby maintaining their top position in the points table.
Leading the charge was Captain Shubman Gill, who scored an impressive 90 off 55 balls. He partnered with B Sai Sudharsan for a 114-run opening stand, with Sudharsan contributing 52 off 36 balls to become the tournament's new leading run-scorer. Jos Buttler added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 41 off 23 balls.
Despite doubts surrounding GT's cautious scoring, their relentless bowling unit, spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan, each taking two wickets, was pivotal in securing a dominant victory – marking their sixth win of the season.
Batting first, GT started slowly, with Sudharsan executing a smart cut and a stunning cover drive to score two boundaries off Vaibhav Arora in the third over. Gill got into rhythm with consecutive fours against Harshit Rana, and further boundaries from Varun Chakaravarthy saw GT conclude the power-play at 46/0.
As the innings progressed, Gill accelerated, striking Moeen Ali for a six and following up with two fours. Both Gill and Sudharsan effortlessly navigated KKR's bowling attack. Gill reached his third fifty of the season off just 34 balls, while Sudharsan celebrated his fifth half-century of the tournament in the same over, surpassing the 100-run mark for their partnership.
KKR's introduction of Andre Russell bore fruit immediately as Sudharsan fell to a faint edge for a catch to keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the 13th over.
Buttler came in firing, hitting five boundaries in just 12 balls, including a pull, a drive over extra cover, a scoop over third man, a top edge on a reverse sweep, and a dropped catch by Arora.
Gill raised his strike rate, clobbering Chakaravarthy for two boundaries before slog-sweeping Narine for six. He then pulled Arora for six and four before finding a diving fielder at cow corner for 90. Despite Rahul Tewatia getting out to deep cover off Rana, Buttler hit three more boundaries in the final two overs, contributing to a total of 59 runs from the last five overs.
In response, KKR's order change backfired as Mohammed Siraj trapped Gurbaz lbw in the first over, with the batter wasting a review. Ajinkya Rahane maintained his form with four quick boundaries through flicks and drives.
Even though Sunil Narine tried to accelerate with a four and six off Siraj, he fell to Rashid, leaving KKR at 45/2 at the end of the power-play. The GT spinners were disciplined, not allowing any boundaries from overs 5-10.
Rahane finally found his groove, lofting and pulling Washington Sundar for four and six. However, after Venkatesh Iyer fell to R Sai Kishore, Rahane reached his fifty off 36 balls, only to be stumped by Buttler shortly after attempting a wide ball.
Despite Andre Russell swinging for boundaries, he, along with Ramandeep Singh and Moeen Ali, fell cheaply – two wickets claimed by Krishna – as the match ultimately swung in favor of GT.
Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 198/3 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 90, B Sai Sudharsan 52; Andre Russell 1-13, Vaibhav Arora 1-44) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 159/8 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 50, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 27 not out; Prasidh Krishna 2-25, Rashid Khan 2-25) by 39 runs.
