Gujarat Titans continue dominance with clinical 39-run win over KKR
Table-toppers Gujarat Titans stamped their authority yet again in the IPL 2025 season, producing a commanding all-round display to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs at Eden Gardens. The visitors rode on a top-order masterclass led by Shubman Gill, who scored a fluent 90, while his partner Sai Sudharsan chipped in with yet another fifty. A late flourish from Jos Buttler took Gujarat to an imposing 198. With the ball, the Titans’ spin trio put the squeeze on KKR’s middle-order, while the pace battery chipped in with timely strikes to keep the hosts in check. The result marked Gujarat’s sixth win in eight games, further strengthening their grip at the top of the table, reports Live Cricket Score.
What was the difference?
While both teams scored equally in the powerplay, Gujarat pulled ahead decisively between overs 7 to 15, scoring at over 10 runs per over, compared to KKR’s 7.6. The Gill-Sudharsan duo laid the perfect platform for acceleration, even as KKR lost two more wickets in the same period. Gill’s clever slog sweeps against spin and Gujarat’s potent bowling strategy proved too good for a KKR side that found itself cornered and unable to mount a counterattack.
Gujarat Titans Innings
Powerplay – Steady start sets the tone
Score: 45/0 (RR: 7.5 | 4s/6s: 6/0)
Gill and Sudharsan played it safe early on, negotiating spin from Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy on a slow pitch. Despite the cautious approach, they managed to keep the scoreboard ticking without losing a wicket. The pacers bore the brunt, with Harshit Rana conceding consecutive boundaries to Gill, who began to find his rhythm.
Middle Overs – Top-order takes charge
Score: 94/1 (RR: 10.4 | 4s/6s: 12/1)
Gill shifted gears post powerplay, racing to a 34-ball fifty with a mix of sweeps and cuts, particularly punishing Moeen Ali. Sudharsan, who had started quicker, reached his fifty in 33 balls—his eighth in 12 IPL innings—highlighting his consistency. Their 114-run partnership was built on patience and power. Sudharsan eventually fell to extra bounce from Andre Russell, but Buttler came in with intent, cracking three quick boundaries in the same over. Even a spilled catch didn’t slow Buttler down as he ensured Gujarat didn’t lose momentum.
Death Overs – Buttler finishes strong
Score: 47/2 (RR: 9.4 | 4s/6s: 4/4)
Gill continued the onslaught, scoring 29 off his final 12 balls before falling for 90. Tewatia fell soon after, but KKR couldn’t capitalise as Vaibhav Arora leaked 18 runs in the final over. Buttler stayed unbeaten on 41, helping Gujarat finish just shy of 200.
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings
Powerplay – Early setbacks hurt KKR
Score: 45/2 (RR: 7.5 | 4s/6s: 6/1)
Gurbaz’s return didn’t spark a turnaround, as he was trapped LBW by Siraj first ball. Rahane looked fluent with a few boundaries, but Narine couldn’t get going, falling to Rashid Khan’s clever variation. Gujarat’s early breakthroughs gave them the edge inside the first six overs.
Middle Overs – Spinners stifle the chase
Score: 69/2 (RR: 7.66 | 4s/6s: 3/2)
Where Gujarat flourished, KKR stagnated. Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer struggled against Gujarat’s disciplined bowling. A 34-ball boundary drought told the story of their struggle. Iyer crawled to 14 off 18 before falling to Sai Kishore. Rahane completed a 36-ball fifty but fell soon after, stumped off Sundar. Russell and Rinku Singh attempted a recovery, but were tied down by sharp bowling and tight field placements.
Death Overs – No escape for KKR
Score: 45/4 (RR: 9.0 | 4s/6s: 5/2)
Russell was KKR’s best hope but perished trying to take on Rashid. Prasidh Krishna then dismantled the middle-order with a double blow, removing Ramandeep and Moeen in the same over. Rashid and Prasidh finished with identical figures of 2 for 25, epitomising Gujarat’s well-oiled attack. Raghuvanshi’s brief burst of 27 was too little, too late, as KKR ended at 159/8—well short of the target.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans 198/3 (Shubman Gill 90, Sai Sudharsan 52, Jos Buttler 41*)
beat
Kolkata Knight Riders 159/8 (Ajinkya Rahane 50; Rashid Khan 2-25, Prasidh Krishna 2-25)
by 39 runs
What’s Next?
KKR will look to regroup ahead of their clash against Punjab Kings at home on April 26. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, enjoy a longer break before they face Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on April 28.
