Skipper Shubman Gill dazzled with a masterful 90 off 55 balls on a sluggish Eden Gardens track, steering Gujarat Titans (GT) to a commanding 39-run win over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-octane IPL clash on Monday.
Gill’s classy innings, studded with 10 fours and 3 sixes, was perfectly complemented by Sai Sudharsan’s fluent 52 off 36 balls — his fifth half-century in six matches — helping GT post a competitive 198/3 after being put in to bat.
Sudharsan also reclaimed the Orange Cap, becoming the first player this season to cross the 400-run mark.
🔥 GT Bowlers Seal the Deal
GT’s total proved more than sufficient as Rashid Khan (2/25) and Prasidh Krishna (2/25) ripped through KKR’s brittle batting line-up, limiting them to 159/8. This loss marks KKR’s third defeat in four home games and fifth overall in eight outings.
Early blows from Mohammed Siraj, who dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over, and Rashid Khan, who spun a web around Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, crushed KKR’s chase early.
Rashid’s return to form on a slow Eden pitch was vital, showcasing his guile and control. He conceded just 5 runs in his final two overs, strangling the middle order.
Prasidh Krishna, meanwhile, delivered a double blow in the 17th over, removing Ramandeep Singh and Moeen Ali off successive balls, ending all hopes for KKR.
🏏 KKR’s Batting Struggles Continue
KKR’s innings never found momentum. Ajinkya Rahane’s gritty 50 and brief resistance from Venkatesh Iyer (14) weren’t enough, especially with 108 needed from the last 45 balls.
Sai Kishore’s tight spell (1/19 in 3 overs) and Washington Sundar’s stumping of Rahane further dented their hopes.
🟢 GT Consolidate Top Spot
With this win, GT strengthened their position at the top of the table with 12 points from 8 games, staying two points ahead of Delhi Capitals.
🗓️ Today’s Fixture
Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals
📍 At Lucknow
🕢 7:30 PM IST
📊 Brief Scores:
Gujarat Titans: 198/3 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 90, Sai Sudharsan 52; Vaibhav Arora 1/44)
Kolkata Knight Riders: 159/8 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 50; Rashid Khan 2/25, Prasidh Krishna 2/25)
