Gujarat Titans thrashed Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs at the Eden Gardens. The Titans posted a massive 198 on the board, leaving KKR struggling to reach 199. They were all out for 159 in 20 overs. Captain Shubman Gill’s 90-run knock was the highlight, while Sai Sudarshan’s 52 earned him the Orange Cap.
Chasing 199, KKR got off to a terrible start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was out for just 1 run in his first IPL 2025 match. Captain Ajinkya Rahane held one end, but Sunil Narine (17) and Venkatesh Iyer (14 off 19 balls) didn’t last long. KKR were 84/2 at one point, but their batting order collapsed, losing five wickets for 35 runs. Rahane was out at 50. Rinku Singh (17) and Andre Russell (21) tried to revive the innings, but it was too late.
Middle Order Fails KKR
KKR were 45/0 after the powerplay. But they scored just 74 runs in the next 10 overs. Venkatesh Iyer’s slow 14 off 19 balls hurt KKR’s chances. Iyer’s strike rate of 73 was too sluggish for a team chasing 199. Sunil Narine, who was retained for 12 crore, scored just 17 and didn’t take a wicket. Moein Ali’s batting position showed KKR’s team combination was off.
- KKR’s middle order failed to deliver.
- Venkatesh Iyer’s slow batting was a major issue.
- Sunil Narine didn’t contribute with bat or ball.