Gill and Sudharsan Power Titans to Victory
Gujarat Titans delivered a commanding performance to defeat the Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs at Eden Gardens, tightening their grip on the top spot of the IPL 2025 standings. Shubman Gill led the charge with a magnificent 90 from 55 balls, ably supported by Sai Sudharsan’s steady 52.
A Cautious Start Turns Into Fireworks
Despite a quiet start in the powerplay with just 45 runs, Gujarat gradually shifted gears. Gill began to find gaps and clear boundaries, while Sudharsan anchored the innings. Their 114-run partnership set the tone for the Titans, with Sudharsan eventually falling to Andre Russell in the 13th over.
Buttler Provides Finishing Touch
Following Sudharsan’s dismissal, Jos Buttler picked up the pace, adding quick runs to help the Titans finish on 198-3. Kolkata’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with their spinners going wicketless and conceding 96 runs across 11 overs.
Early Wickets Derail KKR’s Chase
Kolkata Knight Riders’ chase got off to a rocky start as Mohammed Siraj trapped Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw in the first over. Sunil Narine and other key batters fell cheaply, leaving too much to do for the middle and lower order.
Rahane Offers Resistance, but It’s Not Enough
Ajinkya Rahane provided some resistance with a fluent 50 off 36 balls. However, with little support from the rest of the batting lineup, KKR struggled to build momentum. Quick wickets, including those of Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Russell, sealed their fate.
Rahuvanshi’s Late Cameo Sparks Hope
Angkrish Rahuvanshi showed flashes of brilliance with a 13-ball 27, including a few boundaries and a six. While his efforts sparked a brief glimmer of hope, KKR ultimately fell short, ending their innings well behind the target.
Titans Shine with Ball and Bat
Gujarat’s bowlers were clinical. Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna applied pressure throughout the innings, with Krishna now leading the Purple Cap race with 16 wickets. Siraj’s early breakthrough and Rashid’s control ensured KKR never looked comfortable.
Orange Cap Update: Sudharsan Takes the Lead
Sai Sudharsan’s consistency continues to shine. With over 400 runs this season, he became the first player to reach that mark and now leads the Orange Cap race, 49 runs ahead of Nicholas Pooran. His form has been instrumental in Gujarat’s success so far.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)