IPL 2026: GT still control top-two fate despite 29-run loss to KKR, says Chawla
Synopsis
Gujarat Titans lost to KKR by 29 runs despite Shubman Gill's 85, but they still sit second with 16 points. Piyush Chawla says the playoff equation is simple: beat CSK and the top-two spot is theirs — lose, and net run rate decides their fate. Finn Allen's 93 off 35 and Raghuvanshi's 82 off 44 exposed a GT top order that struggles when targets cross 240.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Titans lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by 29 runs on Saturday in IPL 2026 .
KKR posted 247/2 , powered by Finn Allen's 93 off 35 balls and Angkrish Raghuvanshi's 82 off 44 balls .
Shubman Gill scored 85 runs but GT managed only 218 in reply.
GT sit second on the points table with 16 points from 13 matches .
Former cricketer Piyush Chawla says a win over CSK in GT's final group game guarantees a top-two finish.
Chawla flagged GT's reliance on partnerships as a vulnerability when targets exceed 240 .
Gujarat Titans (GT) remain in control of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoff destiny despite a 29-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday, according to former Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla. GT sit second on the points table with 16 points from 13 matches, and a win in their final group game could secure a top-two finish.
How KKR Set an Imposing Target
KKR, asked to bat first, posted a commanding 247/2 in 20 overs. Finn Allen was the chief aggressor, blazing 93 runs off just 35 balls, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi complemented him with a rapid 82 off 44 balls. The partnership dismantled GT's bowling attack and set a total that proved beyond the visitors' reach.
Gill's Knock Not Enough for GT
Captain Shubman Gill fought hard with an 85-run innings, but GT could only manage 218 runs in reply, falling short by 29 runs. Chawla noted that chasing a target in excess of 240 exposed a structural limitation in GT's batting order. 'A target of 248 is a different ball game. For a team like GT, who are used to posting or chasing totals around 200 to 210, this was always going to be a big ask,' Chawla said.
Chawla: The CSK Match Is GT's to Win or Lose
Speaking on Jio Hotstar, Chawla was direct about what GT must do next. 'Gujarat Titans will be worried because they would want to finish in the top two. They still have the ball in their court. They have a game against CSK left. If they win that one, they will definitely finish in the top two. But if not, then net run rate and all those things will come into the picture,' he said.
Chawla also stressed the importance of self-reliance at this stage of the tournament. 'You want to be safe because you don't want to be dependent on others, especially at this stage of the tournament. The things that are in your control, you just want to make sure you do them really well,' he added.
GT's Batting Style Under the Spotlight
Chawla pointed to a recurring pattern in GT's approach — one built on partnerships and consistency rather than explosive hitting at the top. 'The way Gill and Sai Sudharsan bat, they rely on building partnerships. They don't have the same explosive firepower in the top order,' he observed. While that method has kept GT in the top two for much of the season, it was found wanting against KKR's 247-run total. Notably, this is the third time this IPL season that GT have conceded a total above 230, underlining a recurring vulnerability when conditions favour big-hitting sides.
What Happens Next
GT's final group fixture against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) now takes on outsized importance. A victory would all but guarantee a top-two berth and the strategic advantage of two playoff bites. Anything less, and GT could find themselves at the mercy of net run rate calculations — a scenario Chawla and the franchise will be keen to avoid.
Point of View
But IPL knockout cricket increasingly rewards teams with multiple power-hitters at the top. The KKR loss is the latest data point confirming that GT's template, effective in the middle phase of the tournament, becomes brittle against elite totals. Their saving grace is that the CSK fixture is a straight knockout in all but name — and playing for a result, rather than net run rate, is a far cleaner position than most teams in a similar situation enjoy.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the GT vs KKR IPL 2026 match?
Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Gujarat Titans by 29 runs after posting 247/2, with Finn Allen scoring 93 off 35 balls and Angkrish Raghuvanshi adding 82 off 44 balls. GT, despite Shubman Gill's 85, were bowled out for 218.
Where do Gujarat Titans stand in the IPL 2026 points table after the KKR loss?
GT remain second on the points table with 16 points from 13 matches. Their top-two position is intact, but a loss in their final group game could see them slide depending on net run rate.
What does Piyush Chawla say GT must do to reach the IPL playoffs?
Chawla said GT 'still have the ball in their court' and that a win over Chennai Super Kings in their final group match would guarantee a top-two finish. He warned that falling short would bring net run rate into play.
Why did Gujarat Titans struggle to chase 248 against KKR?
According to Chawla, GT's batting style is built around building partnerships rather than explosive hitting at the top. He noted the side is most comfortable chasing totals in the 200–210 range, and targets above 240 stretch their batting beyond its natural limits.
Who are GT's next opponents in IPL 2026?
Gujarat Titans face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final group-stage match. A win secures a top-two finish; a loss means GT's playoff fate could hinge on net run rate and results elsewhere.
